158 
.44- 
.T5 



jfpffiwwifffiffiMff 




OntliJ 



■' IDC m 



a. 



: 



lit 3a.nF= 



[□nczir 



"3J 



tl'^li-'TT; 'IV 







nnlaanam' 






ie:^ 



. ~ ~S ongbrarirKaijwar, 






A 
NEW PICTUrtE 

OF 

PHILADELPHIA, 

OK THE 

TO THE 

CITY AND ADJOINING DISTRICTS : 

In which are described the 

PUBLIC BUILDIKGS ; LITERARY, SCIENTIFIC, COEIMEE- 

CIAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS ; PLACES 

OF AMUSEMENT ; PLACES OF WORSHIP ; 

■ PRINCIPAL CEMETERIES, AND EVERT 

OTHER OBJECT WORTHY OF 

ATTENTION. 

WITH A PLAN OF THE CITY JIKD ITS ENVIRONS.. 



Tliii'd EdifioH, 



BY PL S. TANNER. 



T. R. TANNER, 153 BROADWAX-^. 

1844.- "^ 




Fl5S 

Hi- 



Ecteied according to Act of Congress, in the year 1840, 

By H. S. TANNER, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern 

District of Pennsylvania. 



PREFACE. 



— »»«®®<«- 



Such is the progress of improvement both in 
extent and quality of our " beautiful city," 
within a few years, that its Picture, however 
faithful and exact for a time, cannot remain so 
long; for this metropolis, like its ever changing 
inhabitants, seems doomed to constant fluctua- 
tion and endless vicissitudes. '5' ..S 

Thirty years since, Sixth street, now the 
centre of population, formed the western bound- 
ary of the densely settled portions of the city, 
whilst those of the districts were confined with- 
in much more circumscribed limits. Within 
the time just mentioned, it may be safely af- 
firmed, that the city has extended over three 
times the area which it occupied previously ; 
and since 1820, its increase and improvements 
have been immense, both in the number and 
style of its buildings. The interior structure 
and arrangement of the houses have undergone 
great changes for the better ; -and the streets 
generally are well paved, lighted and kept in a 
more cleanly condition than at any former 
period. The improved system of laying wood 
en blocks ia place of rounded pebbles, is gradu- 
ally extending along the principal streets. 



IV PEEFACE. 

These continual chang-es render it necessary 
to publish a new work or at least new editions 
of existing works at frequent intervals. An 
editor, to make his picture faithful, and to de- 
lineate whatever is new among the prominent 
changes which perpetually occur, must employ 
his best faculties and keep them in constant 
exercise. 

Our design, in the outset, was to revise and 
amend one of the existing works : but on a 
careful examination of the subject, it was found 
more difficult and laborious to erase, to alter 
and to abridge, than to produce an entirely new 
work : all attempts of that sort have therefore 
been abandoned; and with some trifling excep- 
tions, our present work will be found to be new, 
in almost every sense of the term. So far as 
the mere arrangement of the facts and the va- 
rious descriptions are concerned, nothing new 
has been attempted, nor is any change in these 
respects necessary. Accurate information is 
the primary object of the work ; and to the 
accomplishment of this object have we chiefly 
directed our attention, in the firm belief, that in 
matters of this description, a simple statement 
of facts is all that is required, to enable the 
reader to understand and appreciate the true 
condition and peculiar advantages of cur highly 
favoured city. 



PICTURE 



PHILADELPHIA. 



Philadelphia, the metropolis of the state of 
Pennsylvania, and, after New York, the largest 
city in the United States, is situated between 
the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, about 5 
miles from the junction of the latter with the 
Delaware. The city proper, or that portion 
of it which is limited by the Delaware on 
the east, the Schuylkill on the west, Vine 
street on the north, and South or Cedar street 
on the south, is under the jurisdiction of the 
corporation. The adjoining districts have each 
separate and distinct municipal authorities and 
regulations, wholly unconnected, in a legal 
point of view, with the others, or either of 
them. These regulations, being merely local 
in their operation, are unimportant in reference 
to the city, as it is generally understood, which, 
for all practical purposes, may be regarded as 
embracing the adjoining districts of Kensing- 
ton, the Northern Liberties, Spring Garden, 
Southwark, Moyamensing, &c. 

The densely built parts of the city and dis- 
tricts, have an outline of about 8^ miles. Pre- 
a2 



D PHILADELPHIA. 

sent population abont 225,000. Tlie princi- 
pal streets are Market or High, and Broad 
streets. The latter extends for several miles 
in a nearly nortli and south direction, and in- 
tersects Market street near the centre of the 
city plot. With some trifling exceptions, the 
streets of the city proper, cross each other at 
right angles : but those of the adjoining dis- 
tricts present a more irregular appearance. 
In advancing along Broad street, towards 
the north, from Market street, which ex- 
tends through the centre of the city, from the 
Delaware to the Schuylkill, the following 
streets present themselves in the order of the 
enumeration: — Filbert; Mulberry or Arch; 
Cherry I Sassafras or Race; Vine (the north- 
ern boundary of the city); Wood; Callowhill; 
Willow ; Hamilton ; Buttonwood ; Spring Gar- 
den ; Green; Coates, and some others: these 
are all parallel or nearly so with Market street. 
Going south from the latter, the following 
streets occur : Chesnut ; George ; Walnut ; 
Locust ; Spruce ; Pine ; Lombard ; Cedar or 
South (the southern boundary of the city pro- 
per) ; Shippen ; Fitzwater ; Catherine ; Chris- 
tian; Tidmarsh; Prime; Washington and 
Federal. Nearly all thefse extend from east 
io west, and from the Delaware to the Schuyl- 
kill, each about two miles in length. The 
streets running in the general direction of the 
Delaware river are designated by numbers, 
commencing on the Delaware side with Front, 
Second, Third, and so on up to Thirteenth, 
M'^hich latter is succeeded by Broad street. 
Those north of Market street have the term 
" north," and those running southward, 
"south,'* appended to each. A similar ar- 



PHILADELPHIA. 7 

rangement obtains with respect to the streets 
between Broad street and the river Schuylkill ; 
commencing near the river with Front, Second, 
&c. up to Eighth. These are distinguished 
from the eastern streets by having the word 
" Schuylkill" prefixed to them. 

In addition to the above, the city and each 
district has several cross streets and avenues, 
most of which are well built. 

HISTORY. 

The first civilized settlements at Coaquanoc, 
Kow Philadelphia, were made by the Swedes 
forty or fifty 3^ears before the arrival of WilHam 
Penn, The prevaiUng opinion that it was he 
who first introduced members of the Society of 
Friends on the banks of the Delaware, is an 
error. There were regular meetings of that 
society on both sides of the river previous to 
the arrival of that great and good man. Some 
of these meetings, those at Chester for example, 
date back to 1675. 

The first mention made of this nov/ fine city 
under its present name, was in 1682, when it 
was surveyed and regulated by Thomas Holme, 
on tlie first high ground above the confluence 
of the Delaware and Schuylkill. Philadelphia 
is built on the ancient alluvion, reposing upon 
the primitive rock formation which rises to the 
surface a short distance north of the city. Its 
site, with the exception of some gentle swells, 
consists of a nearly level plane. Along Mar- 
ket street it is within a small fraction of two 
miles from river to river ; but as both rivers 
curve towards each other in passing the city 
the general plan widens above and below Mar- 



8 BRIDGES. 

ket street. Along the Delaware fiom the lower 
part of Southwark to the northern street of 
Kensington, is about four and a half miles. In 
advancing westward, the built parts of the city 
gradually diminish in extent. From its ear- 
liest settlement the general progress of im- 
provement has been and still is towards the 
north-west. The porous, sandy and deep allu- 
vion on which the city is built, contributes, 
with the judicious regulation of the streets, to 
render the cellars dry. From the northern 
sections particularly in Spring Garden and the 
incorporated part of the Northern Liberties, 
many of the positions are very coipmanding ; 
and on the Schuylkill above and below the 
city, the scenery becomes highly varied and 
beautiful. 



BRIDGES, &c. 

PERMANENT BRIDGE. 
Western termination of Market street. 

The city is connected with West Philadel- 
phia by a substantial bridge erected by a com- 
pany incorporated in 1798. The whole length 
of this structure is 1300 feet : the main bridge 
550 and abutments and wing walls 750 feet ; 
width 42 feet. It rests upon three arches and 
two stone piers. To place the western pier on 
the solid roek it was found necessary to extend 
the work 42 feet below common tide level. This 
was effected at great expense. The total cost 
of the bridge including grounds was $300,000. 

The ownership of this splendid structure has 



FAIRMOUNT. 9 

been transferred to the city authorities, and is 
now open for public use free from tolls. The 
old floating- bridge at Gray's Ferry has been 
displaced by the viaduct over the Schuylkil], 
built by the Philadelphia, Wilming:ton and 
Baltimore Rail-road Company. In addition to 
its uses for the raihroad travel, it is so con- 
structed as to admit the passage of ordinary 
carriages, &.c. 

These are now the only bridges which cross 
the Schuylkill at or near the city. The bridge 
formerly at the foot of Fairmount, consisting of 
one elliptical arch 348 feet span, was destroyed 
by fare in 1839. The arch of this beautiful 
structure was generally considered as the largest 
known, and being one curve of a very elonga- 
ted ellipsis, formed a striking object in the 
scenery about Fairmount. 

FAIRMOUNT WATER WORKS. 
In the north-west suburbs of the city. 

The hydraulic works by which the city of 
Philadelphia and the adjoining districts are sup- 
plied with water, are situated on the east bank 
of the Schuylkill, two miles north-west from 
the city. They occupy an area of 30 acres, 
which extends from the Schuylkill on the west, 
to Fairmonnt street on the east, and from Cal- 
lowhill and Biddle street on the south to Coates 
street and the Columbia Rail-road on the north. 
The greater part of this area consists of the 
" mount," an oval shaped eminence, about one 
hundred feet in height, with sides more or less 
inclined, according to the nature of the forma- 
tion and the uses to which they are applied. 



10 FAIRMOUNT. 

On the top of the hill, at an elevation of one 
hundred feet above mid-tide in the Schuylkill, 
and about 56 feet above the highest grounds in 
the city, there are four reservoirs, whose aggre- 
gate capacity is about twenty-two millions of 
gallons. One of these is divided into three 
sections for the purpose of filtration. They 
are inclosed by a substantial pale fence, vs^hieh, 
while it serves to protect, does not obstruct the 
view of the reservoirs. The whole is surround- 
ed by a gravel footway, extending along the 
entire brow of the hill, which is attained by a 
flight of steps on the west, and several inclined 
planes, of easy ascent from the east. 

Fairmount originally extended to, and formed 
the immediate bank of the Schuylkill, and the 
entire site of the various structures, and the 
beautiful embellishments which now adorn the 
place, and render it an object of peculiar attrac- 
tion, is the result of expensive and laborious 
excavation into solid gneiss rock. It was com- 
menced in 1819, and continued with occasional 
intermissions from that time down to the pres- 
ent day. The requisite power for propelling 
the machinery, is obtained by means of a pool 
formed by a dam, erected across the Schuylkill, 
which backs the water for several miles, and 
thus serves the double purpose of improving the 
navis^ation of the river, and giving motion to 
the wheels and forcing pumps by which the 
reservoirs are supplied. The excavated plateau, 
extending from the foot of the mount to the 
precipitous bank of the river, is partly occupied 
by the wheel houses, forebays and other neces- 
sary structures, and the remaining spaces are 
very tastefully arranged with flower gardens, 
gravel walks, fountains, statues and other orna- 



FAIRMOUNT. 11 

mental devices, which, viewed in connection 
with the romantic country around, and the ani- 
mating and busy scenes presented by the canals 
and rail-roads in the vicinity, form altogether, a 
prospect of uncommon interest and beauty. 

Previously to the erection of the works at 
Fairmount, the city had been supplied with 
water from the Schuylkill by means of two 
steam engines, one on Chesnut and Front 
streets, near the river, and the other at the in- 
tersection of Broad and Market streets. These 
were soon found to be wholly inadequate to the 
necessary supply, and were in a few years 
superseded by the works at Fairmount. By 
the first arrangement, the water was let into a 
basin, formed with suitable gates, at the foot of 
Chesnut street, and thence conveyed by an 
aqueduct, 460 feet in length to the water shaft 
at the lower engine house. Here it was raised 
by the engine and forcing pumps into a tunnel, 
6 feet in diameter, extending along Chesnut 
and Broad streets, 3144 feet, to the other engine 
house at the Centre, now called Penn square. 
At this point, the water was again elevated by 
the second engine into a reservoir 36 feet above 
the ground, and thence into an iron distributing 
tank, from which the wooden pipes then in use, 
conducted the water through [the various parts 
of the city. The total cost of this establishment 
from its commencement in 1799, to its abandon- 
ment in 1815, was $657,398 91, including 
$898 94 '^'■for whiskey;''' and the amount of 
water rents received during the same period, 
was $105,351 18, leaving a balance chargeable 
to the city treasury of $552,047 73. 

In August, 1812, the construction of the 
steam works at Fairmount was commenced, 



12 FAIRMOUNT. 

and in September, 1815, was so far completed 
as to afford a partial supply of water to the 
citizens. In 1818, after expending $320,669 84 
in the erection and support of these works, it 
became apparent that a more economical sys- 
tem, and one better calculated to secure the 
object in view, than the one then in use, must 
be adopted, and in compliance with a recom- 
mendation of the watering committee, councils 
immediately appropriated $350,000, and autho- 
rized the erection of the dam and other works, 
now in operation at Fairmount. 

The dam, a mound of earth and stone, 
planked on its southern side, is 1600 feet in 
length, including the western pier, 150 wide at 
the base, 12 at top, and varying in height from 
36 to 12 feet. The entire length of the over- 
fall is 1204 feet, the eastern embankment 270, 
and the head arches through which the water 
flows into the mill race, 104 feet. At the west- 
ern end of the dam is a short canal, with 2 
guard, and 2 lift locks, constructed at the ex- 
pense of the city, by agreement, for the use of 
the Schuylkill Navigation Company. 

The strength of this dam has been subjected 
to many severe trials, but it has hitherto es- 
caped serious injury. The great ice freshet of 
the 26th January, 1839, when the water rose 
10 feet 2 inches above the top of the dam, and 
12 feet 3 inches above high water in the river 
below, affected it more than any previous one. 
It completely inundated all the pump machine- 
ry, and by its force burst open the doors and 
considerably injured the partitions, floors, &,c. 
of the mill houses, and carried away some of 
the planking and masonry of the dam. 

The mill race forms a parallelogram, exca- 
vated from compact gneiss rock, to a mean 



FAIEMOUNT. 13 

depth of 38 feet, is 419 feet long, from north to 
south, 90 feet wide, and 6 feet deep below the 
overfall of the dam. It is bounded by a paved 
avenue, 253 feet long and 26 wide, and the mill 
houses on the west; on the east by the rocky 
and nearly vertical side of Fairmount, 70 or 80 
feet in height, and on the north by the head 
arches, which are so constructed as to allow 
the passage into the race of a body of water 
60 feet wide and 6 feet deep. By means of a 
waste gate, the water in the race may be drawn 
off and discharged into the river below the 
dam. The mill buildings are of stone, 238 feet 
long and 56 wide. The lower floor is divided 
into 12 apartments, 4 are intended for 8 double 
forcing pumps, of which six have been intro- 
duced. The other apartments are for the fore- 
bays leading to the water wheels. These 
wheels are all of the same length, but not of the 
same diameter, are formed of wood, having iron 
shafts weighing about five tons each. The 
pumps with a head equal in weight to 7900 
lbs., force the water into the reservoirs at the 
top of the mount, 92 feet in height. The first 
of which was put in motion on the 1st of July, 
1822. It is 15 feet long and 15 feet in diame- 
ter, working under one foot head and seven feet 
fall. It forces one and a quarter millions of 
gallons of water to the receiving basin in twen- 
ty-four hours, with a stroke of the pump of four 
and a half feet, a diameter of 16 inches, and 
the wheel making eleven and a half revolutions 
in a minute. Five have since been put in ope- 
ration, some of which make thirteen strokes in 
a minute, with small additional water fall, and 
force one and a half million of gallons in tv/enty- 
four hours. Though the wheels are sunk below 

B 



14 FAIRMOUNT. 

the ordinary line of high water, they are seldom 
affected except when the back water is about 
sixteen inches on the wheel. 

The pumps are worked by a crank on the 
water wheel attached to a pitman connected 
with the piston at the end of the slides. They 
are fed under a natural head of water, from the 
forebays of the water wheel, and are calculated 
for a six feet stroke, but they are generally 
worked with not more than five feet. They 
are double forcing pumps, and are each con- 
nected with an iron main 16 inches in diameter, 
which is carried along the bottom of the race, 
to the foot of the mount, and thence up the bank 
into the reservoir, 92 feet above the dam. The 
lowest estimate of the quantity of water afford- 
ed by the river in dry seasons, is 440,000,000 
of gallons in 24 hours. The average quantity 
of water raised by each wheel and pump is 
about 530,000 gallons daily, but when the 
whole six wheels are put in motion, they can 
supply 6,000,000 of gallons in the 24 hours. 
The average daily consumption of water for the 
present year is about 4,000,000 of gallons, or 
177 for each permit. 

The reservoirs are lined with stone, and paved 
with bricks, laid upon a very tenacious clay 
bed, in strong lime cement, and made water 
tight. They are 12^ feet in depth. The whole 
cost of the reservoirs was $133,824 42. From 
the central reservoir the water is conducted 
into the city by means of two iron pipes, one 
20 and the other 22 inches in diameter. One 
passes down the north and the other down the 
south slope of the mount, each is nearly 10,000 
feet in length ; additional mains have since 
been inserted in the same reservoir. In 182], 



FAIRMOUKT. 15 

the work of laying down iron distributing pipes 
was commenced, and gradually displaced the 
old wooden pipes which had been used pre- 
viously and exclusively. Of the 30 miles of 
wooden pipes laid from Fairmount through the 
city, in 1819, only 3 miles remain. Since the 
introduction of iron pipes there have been laid 
62.62 miles of them up to January, 1840 ; add 
to which 48,13 miles laid by the districts, and 
we have 109.75 miles. They extend about four 
miles in a south-east direction, and nearly the 
same distance towards the north-east. The 
larger iron pipes were originally imported from 
England; the whole cost of which, however, 
does not exceed $20,000 ; whilst those furnished 
by American manufacturers amount to $497, 
171 37. 

The expense of supplying the city by steam 
power, with the same quantity of water now 
used, would be $206 a day ; whilst the cost by 
water power, is $7 a day. This includes at- 
tendants' wages, fuel, light, &.c. The estima- 
ted expenses for the year 1840, including gene- 
ral repairs and improvements, and extension of 
pipes, is $27,500 ; and the amount of the water 
rents for the same year is $127,234 25 ; from 
which deduct tfic annual appropriation to the 
sinking fund, $17,000, and the estimated ex- 
penses for 1840, $21,209 67; making in all 
$38,209 67, and a balance remains, applicable 
to any other purpose, of $89,024 58. The whole 
sum expended at Fairmount since the employ- 
ment of water power was determined on, up to 
December 31st, 1839, is $1,464,146 21; and 
the amount paid for salaries, labour and inci- 
dental expenses from 1812, is $379,428 19; 
making a total of $1,843,674 40. The amount 



16 FAIRMOUNT. 

of revenue derived from the city and districts 
for the use of the water, from the commence- 
ment of the works is $1,493,024 53. 

In addition to the innumerable pipes which 
convey the water into dwellings, &c., there are 
now distributed throughout the city and liber- 
ties 1007 "fire plugs," so called, to which, in 
case of fire, hoses, corresponding in calibre 
with the cavity of the plugs are attached, and 
thus convey the water to the engines, or, as is 
often the case, directly to the fire. 

The average daily supply of water for the city 
and districts, during each quarter of the year 
1839, was as follows : 

Gallons. 

January, February and March, . 2,981,560 

April, May and June, . . 4,363,191 

July, August and September, . 4,573,465 

October, November, December, . 3,995,211 

This shows an average daily supply for the 

year, of 3,978,357 gallons; and exceeds the 

consumption of the preceding year by 127,710 

gallons. 

In the city, the cost to each family supplied 
with water by private pipes, is $5 a year ; the 
owner or occupant of the house paying all ex- 
penses of the introduction of the water into the 
premises. In the districts, each family pays 
$7 50 for the like supply. Hotels, manufacto- 
ries, &c., pay an amount in proportion to the 
water supposed to be used, and generally at as 
high rates as families. 

Their payments vary from $10 to $600 per 
annum. The Counly Prison pays $500; the 
City and Northern Liberties Gas-works, each 
$200 ; United States Mint, $85 ; stable keepers 
pay each $1 a year for each horse kept by 



INDEPENDENCE SQUARE. 17 

them ; hydrants for washing pavements, $2 
each; small houses in the rear of other build- 
ings, $2 50 ; and for openings, in private baths 
or lodging rooms, $3, Establishments similar 
to that at Fairmount, are now in successful ope- 
ration in Richmond and Lynchburg, Virginia ; 
Nashville, Tennessee ; Cincinnati, Ohio ; Wil- 
mington, Delaware ; Pittsburg, Lancaster, Al- 
lentown and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; the 
latter was established in 1752, and is probably 
the first work of the kind erected in this coun- 
try. 



PUBLIC SQUARES. 

INDEPENDENCE SaUARE. 

Between Chesnut and Walnut streets and 5th 

and 6th streets, 

Sometimes called the State House Garden, 
being in the rear of that building. It is sur- 
rounded by a solid brick wall to the height of 
three or four feet above the adjacent streets, 
upon which an iron railing is placed. 

The entire area is laid off with ground walks 
and grass plots, which with its majestic trees, 
forms one of the most inviting spots within the 
bounds of the city. It was within this enclosure 
that the Declaration of American Independence 
was first publicly read ; and here as in days 
of old, the people now assemble to hear, not the 
declaration of independence, but the noisy and 
senseless harangues of party leaders, and to 
witness the tumults and disorders to which they 
sometimes lead. 



18 AVASHINGTON SQUARE. 

WASHINGTON SaUARE. 

Between Walnut and Locust and Sixth and 
Washington streets. 

Among the vast multitudes of persons of all 
ages, sexes and conditions, who now frequent 
this delightful promenade, there are but few 
perhaps who are acquainted with its origin and 
the uses to which it was formerly applied. 
From the elegance and variety that here attract 
the eye, the aged citizen spontaneously recalls 
to memory the scenes of" 93" and " 98," when 
this now inviting spot, was made the receptacle 
of the dead ; " the bourne from whence no trav- 
eller returns ;" and pictures to his view the silent 
mansions to which many a victim of the then 
raging pestilence, was hurried by his affirighted 
attendants. In this our day is seen nought but 
gayety and life, treading over the remains of the 
sepulchered dead. Scenes such as these, viewed 
in connection with the past, are well fitted to 
awaken emotions of the highest and most 
afiecting character. We stand, as it were upon 
the confines of two worlds ; and as the mood of 
our minds may be, we gather lessons of pro- 
found wisdom by contrasting the one with the 
other, or indulge in dreams of hope and ambi- 
tion, or solace our hearts by melancholy medi- 
tions. — From the gloomy past we gladly turn to 
the cheerful and animating scenes of the pres- 
ent. — Washington square lies immediately to 
the south-west of Independence square, and 
like that beautiful spot, is laid out with gravel- 
led walks and planted with a variety of trees 
and shrubbery, and the whole environed by a 
substantial iron railing. It is proposed to erect 
in the centre of the square, a splendid monument 



FRANKLIN SQUARE. 19 

to the memory of the great man whose name it 
bears. Measures for effecting this object have 
been for some time in progress, which is hoped 
will speedily result in its accomplishment. 

FRANKLIN SaUARE. 

Between Race and Vine, and Sixth and Frank- 
lin streets. 

This square is also laid off as a public walk ; 
it is embellished with a great variety of trees 
grass plots, &c. A portion of this square has 
been used as a burying place by the German 
Society, which for several years manfully re- 
sisted all the attempts of the city authorities to 
desecrate their sanctuary. By repeated over- 
tures, and probably worried by the perseverance 
of their assailants, the Society was ultimately 
induced to yield; and all traces of their ceme- 
tery are now entirely obliterated. The area 
now presents an unbroken parallelogram, 632 
by 550 feet ; in the centre of which has been 
erected a magnificent fountain, a sight of which 
will amply compensate the pedestrian for half 
an hour's walk in reaching it. 

LOGAN SQUARE, 

Between Race and Vine and Schuylkill Fifth 
and Logan streets. 

This square is now in course of improvement, 
the design being to throw it open to the public. 
It is somewhat larger than Franklin square, 
and when similarly improved will afford a de- 
lightful place of resort for the neighbouring cit- 



20 INDEPENDENCE HALL» 



EITTENHOUSE SGIUARE. 

B^ween Walnut and Locust and Schuylkill 
Fifth and Third streets. 

Our remarks upon Logan* square may be 
applied to Rittenhouse square; its object and 
present condition, being similar in all respects. 

PENN SaUARE. 
At the intersection of Broad and Market streets. 

The ground now occupied by Penn square 
or squares, for there are four distinct enclosures, 
formed what was originally called the " centre 
square," which " if we may be allowed the ex- 
pression," was a perfect circle, bounded by a 
pale fence and inclosing the distributing reser- 
voir of the city water works. 

Some years since this area was divided into 
four parts by running Market and Broad streets 
through it, the water works having been pre- 
viously removed. No improvements have yet 
been made within the enclosures, which now 
present nothing but a dull and monotonous 
expanse of grass and weeds. 

STATE HOUSE OR INDEPENDENCE HALL. 

This venerable structure, built in 1735, stands 
on the northern side of Independence square, 
and is now occupied by the public offices, halls 
of the courts, &c. It fronts on Chesnut 
street, and including the wings, which are of 
modern construction, extends from Fifth to 
Sixth street. 

It was in this building that Congress, on the 
4th of July, 1776, adopted the memorable De- 
claration of Independence, which was publicly 
proclaimed from its steps on the same day. 

Some parts of the original building have 



UNIVERSITY. 21 

been removed and others defaced. Nearly the 
whole of the wood work of Independence 
Hall was, some years since, displaced to make 
room for more modern decorations. These 
were scarcely completed, when a new corpora- 
tion, more patriotic than their predecessors, 
directed the restoration of the hall to its origi- 
nal simplicity. It now presents the same ap- 
pearance it did at the moment when "these 
United States were first declared free, sovereign 
and independent." 



LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTI- 
TUTIONS. 

UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS. 

Situated on the west side of Ninth street between 

Market and Chesnut streets. 

They consist of two handsome and appro- 
priate brick edifices, stuccoed in imitation of 
granite, each 85 feet front and 112 deep, and 
surrounded by an open area tastefully arranged 
with gravel walks, &c. The whole is en- 
closed by substantial iron-railing. 

This admirable institution was formed in 
1791, by the union of the old University and 
College of Philadelphia. The most important 
branch of the University is that of the school of 
Medicine, the foundation of which was laid in 
1764 by Dr. Wm. Shippen. For a considerable 
number of years past, the students who attend- 
ed the medical lectures in the University have 
exceeded four hundred annually. There are 
eleven professorships besides those of medicine ; 
and a charity school supported by funds of the 
institution. 



22 eiRAED COLLEGE. 

lEFFERSON MEDICAL COLLEGE. 

In Tenth street helow Chesnut street. 

The Jefferson Medical College, originally a 
l)raneh of Jefferson College at Canonsburg; 
was instituted in 1825 and subsequently char- 
tered by the legislature with the customary 
powers- Within a few years this college, under 
the sanction of legislative enactments, separated 
itself from the parent institution, and is now in- 
dependent, and in a flourishing condition. The 
average annual number of its students for some 
years past was about three hundred. The ana- 
tomical museum attached to this institution, 
which is open to the inspection of any respect- 
able visiter, is admirably arranged, and cannot 
fail to gratify such as feel an interest in ana- 
domical preparations. 

GIRARD COLLEGE, 
Ridge Road above Francisville. 

Stephen Girard, the founder of this admirable 
charity, was a native of France. Having in 
«arly life established himself in Philadelphia, 
in the first instance as a small dealer, and sub- 
sequently as a merchant and banker, he soon 
acquired considerable property, which by perse- 
vering industry and rigid economy, guided by 
a sound and discriminating mind, continued to 
accumulate until the moment of his death, in 
1831, when it exceeded $6,000,000, in value. 
A large portion of this immense estate con- 
sisting of houses and lots chiefly in Philadelphia, 
and lands in Pennsylvania and Louisiana, bank 
and other stocks, was appropriated to the erec. 
tion and support of the College for Orphan s^ 
whiah bj tliS terms of his will, devolved upon 



eiRARD COLLEGE, 23 

the eity councils, who were charged with the 
execution of his benevolent design. 

This splendid establishment when corapletedy 
will consist of live distinct edifices, extending 
in a line from east to west and facing Girard 
street at its intersection with College Aven-ge, 
The dimensions of the main building, which is 
the first object of attention in ascending the 
avenue from the south, are two hundred and 
eighteen feet from north to south, one hundred 
sixty feet from east to west, including the plat- 
form which supports the columns, and ninety- 
seven feet in height. 

The remaining four buildings, situated two 
on either side of the principal edifice, are fifty- 
two by one hundred and twenty-five feet each, 
and two stories high, with commodious base- 
ments. The professors will occupy the east- 
ernmost building, which is so constructed as to 
accommodate four distinct families. The other 
three are designed for the residence of the pupils. 

The " college" or centre building, with its 
beautiful columns and gorgeous capitals, atosice 
rivets the attention of the beholder. There are 
thirty-four columns resting upon a platform, ren- 
dered firm and substantial by a corresponding 
number of inverted arches. These support an 
entablature sixteen feet high, in imitation of a 
Grecian temple. Each column, including capi- 
tal and base, is fifty-five feet in height, and six 
feet in diameter at the base, which is three feel 
high and nine feet in diameter. There is a 
clear space of fifteen feet between the columns 
and the body of the building. At each end of 
this space, is a doorway thirty-two feet in 
height and sixteen in width, decorated with 
massy architraves, beneath a figured cornice, 



24 GIRARD COLLEGE. 

supported by consoles. The vestibule at each 
door is twenty-six by forty-eight feet ; the 
ceiling of each is supported by eight marble 
columns and eight antae of the Ionic order. 
Immediately above these vestibules in the 
second story, are an equal number of lobbies, 
the ceilings of which are supported by Corin- 
thian columns. Marble stairways are erected 
at each corner of the building, which are chiefly 
lighted from above. There are four apartments 
on each floor. The ceilings of those on the 
first and second floor, are groin-arched, and 
those of the third floor are vaulted, with a cen- 
tral sky light on a line with the roof. 

With the exception of the doors the entire 
structure is fire proof; and is warmed by fur- 
naces in the usual manner. 

From the great mass of material employed 
in these buildings, and the splendour of their 
decorations, it may be readily imagined that the 
cost of construction will be immense. In 
viewing the college and its ponderous but mag- 
nificent columns, the question naturally sug- 
gests itself, whether a building adapted to all 
the purposes of such an establishment, could 
not have been erected more speedily and eco- 
nomically than the one now in progress ? 

The vast amount (about one million one hun- 
dred thousand dollars) already expended upon the 
work and the sura still required to complete the 
edifice, cannot fail we think, to deprive the in- 
stitulion to a large extent of its means of support, 
and thus limit its future usefulness. The delay 
in its organization, resulting from the adoption 
of so expensive and tedious a plan of construc- 
tion, is a matter of much regret to the friends 
of the institution, who cannot but view such 
delay and profuse expenditure, with apprehen- 
sion and alarm. 



PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 25 

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 
Hall, South Fifth below Chesnut street. 

This ancient and respectable institution ori- 
ginated under the present title in 1740, princi- 
pally through the exertions of Dr. Franklin. 
In 1766, another institution was formed called 
" The American Society for promoting useful 
knowledge." These societies being nearly 
similar in every respect, it was deemed expe- 
dient to consolidate them, and in 1769, they 
were united under the title of "The American 
Philosophical Society, held in Philadelphia for 
promoting useful knowledge." The building 
in which the Society holds its meetings, and 
which contains its collections of minerals and 
excellent library, stands on the west side of 
Fifth street in the rear of the State House. 

In addition to its library of nearly 10,000 
volumes, the Society has collected and arranged 
in admirable order, many rare specimens of 
minerals and fossils, and a vast number of an- 
cient relics, and other interesting objects. 

Respectable strangers find a ready admit- 
tance 10 the Hall oh application to the venerable 
librarian, John Vaughan, Esq. Strangers, 
members of other learned societies, are also 
admitted to the meetings of the society when 
introduced by a member. The Society now 
issues, for the use of its members, monthly 
bulletins of its transactions ; and at convenient 
intervals the whole are embodied and published 
in a larger and more durable form. The 
Society is charged with the distribution of 
the " Magellanic fund," so called. This fund 
was presented in 1786 by John Hyacinth 
Magellan, of London, for the purchase of 
medals of gold, not exceeding $45 in value, to 
c 



26 FRANKLIN INSTITUTE. 

be awarded by the Society " to the author of 
the best discovery or most useful invention 
relating to navigation, astronomy or natural 
philosophy." 

ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 

Though incorporated so late as 1817, this 
institution is already in a very flourishing con- 
dition. Besides a well chosen library, exceed- 
ing 9000 volumes, the Society possesses an ex- 
tensive collection of objects in natural history. 
It has lately removed to its new and splendid 
hall in JBroad street between Chesnut and Wal- 
nut streets. The Society publishes its trans- 
actions under the title of the Journal of the 
Academy of Natural Sciences. Strangers are 
admitted to all its meetings except those of 
business. — The hall is open to visiters on the 
afternoon of every Saturday. 

FRANKLIN INSTITUTE. 

This useful institution which is situated in 
Seventh street below Market street, was incor- 
porated in 1824. Its members, nearly 3000 in 
number, consist of manufacturers, artists and 
mechanics, and persons friendly to the mechanic 
arts. According to its charter, the objects of 
the Institute are •' The promotion and encour- 
agement of manufactures and the mechanic and 
useful arts, by the establishment of popular lec- 
tures on the sciences connected with them, by 
the formation of a cabinet of models and mine- 
rals, and a library; by offering premiums on 
all subjects deemed worthy of encouragement^; 
by examining all new inventions submitted to 
them, and by such other means as they may 



ATHENEUM. 27 

deem expedient." The annual contribution of 
each member is $3, but the payment of 25 con- 
stitutes a member for life without any further 
pecuniary contribution. Two-thirds of the 
managers must be manufacturers or mechanics. 
The annual exhibitions of this active and mer- 
itorious association, never fail to attract and 
gratify immense numbers of visiters. Lectures 
on mechanical and scientific subjects are deli- 
vered by professors appointed by the Institute 
during the winter months, and a journal of its 
transactions is published monthly. Attached 
to the Institute is a public reading room, where 
most of the periodical journals of the day may 
be found. Strangers are admitted to the rooms 
of the Institute on application to the actuary, 
Mr. Hamilton, whose obliging disposition is only 
equalled by his zeal in the discharge of his va- 
rious duties. 

ATHENEUM. 
Fifths below Chesnut street. 

The Association which bears this name was 
incorporated in 1815, and established in the 
lower rooms of the Hall of the American Philo- 
sophical Society in South Fifth street, below 
Chesnut street. The Atheneum now contains, 
besides the current periodical journals, a library 
consisting of several thousand volumes. The 
rooms are open every day and evening, except 
Sunday, from 8 o'clock a. m. until 10 p. m., 
from November 1st to May 1st, and from 
7 o'clock A. M. until 10 p. m., from April 30th 
to October 31st of each year. 

Strangers are admitted gratuitously for one 
month on the introduction by a member, who 
is bound to insert the name of the visiter in a 



28 MERCANTILE LIBRARY. 

register kept for that purpose. Strangers may- 
avail themselves of the benefits of the institution 
on the payment of three dollars for three months, 
or six dollars for six months. The current 
expenses of the association are paid from funds 
contributed by stockholders and subscribers ; 
the former pay five dollars, and the latter ten 
dollars per annum. 

Its present location is merely temporary, as it 
is proposed to erect a building every way suited 
to the purposes of the institution. A donation 
often thousand dollars for this object, was lately 
made to the Athene um by one of its leading 
members. 

MERCANTILE LIBRARY. 

Chesnut street, between Fourth and Fifth sts. 

This institution vi^as formed in 1822, for the 
purpose of diff'using mercantile knowledge. 
It consists of some five or six thousand volumes, 
chiefly on subjects of commerce and its kin- 
dred pursuits. Within a few years the insti- 
tution has greatly extended the sphere of its 
usefulness. In connexion with the Athenian 
Institute, an association of more recent date, 
the Mercantile Library has caused the delivery 
of popular courses of lectures on commerce, 
commercial law, the arts, sciences and litera- 
ture. Though this union has been dissolved, 
the zeal of the members of both institutes ap- 
pears to have acquired additional vigor: lectures 
continue to be delivered at the halls of each 
during the winter months. The lectures are 
open to the public on the payment of a small 
fee, which goes to defray the expenses attend- 
ing their delivery. Members pay an initiative 
fee of ten dollars, and two dollars annually. 



HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 29 

ATHENIAN INSTITUTE. 

Lecture Room in the Musical Fund Hall. 

The objects of the Athenian Institute, are in 
some respects similar to those of its late col- 
league, the Mercantile Library. Its leading- 
aim, however, is to improve the taste for literary- 
pursuits, by the delivery of popular lectures on 
appropriate subjects. The success of the insti- 
tution has been most signal. Its efforts in the 
interesting course, have been seconded to a 
great extent by the most intelligent and influ- 
ential part of the public. The lectures are open 
to the public on terms similar to those of the 
Mercantile Library. 

HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

Fifths below Chesnut street. 

This institution was founded for the purpose 
of diffusing a knowledge of our local history, 
especially in relation to the state of Pennsylvania. 
It has caused to be published, a great mass of 
valuable information on subjects connected 
with the early history of Pennsylvania, and it 
is now actively engaged in the promotion of 
these laudable objects. 

PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE OF PHARMACY. 

Zane, above Seventh street. 

This is a school in which Pharmacy, an im- 
portant branch of therapeutic science, is taught. 
It consists in an intimate acquaintance with 
the preparation of medical' materials, and is 
hence the doctrine of procuring, arranging, and 
c2 



30 MEDICAL SOCIETY. 

compounding the various articles of the Materia 
Medica. 

As the first regularly organised institution 
of the kind in the United States, its establish- 
ment forms an era in the medical history of our 
country. Its objects are to impart appropriate 
instruction; to inspect drugs; to examine the 
candidates for preferment; and to cultivate a 
taste for medical science. Its influence and 
growing reputation afford conclusive evidence 
of its great utility. 

MEDICAL INSTITUTE. 
Locust^ above Eleventh Street. 

Is a school in which the elementary branches 
of medical science, in all their relations, are 
taught. Its operation is partly to prepare for 
the universities, and partly to furnish the means 
of appropriate instruction to students during 
the summer recess of the latter, and to examine 
them in the progress they make. Some of its 
active members are attached to the higher 
schools : these, with others equally eminent in 
the profession, render the institution exceeding- 
ly popular among the medical classes. 

THE MEDICAL SOCIETY, 

Is considered an old institution in the pro- 
fession. Its object is the general promotion of 
medical science, and the regulation of its 
ethics. The principal mode in which useful 
results are aimed at, is the delivery of lectures, 
followed by debates upon the subjects thus 
brought forward. A considerable number of 
students attend the discussions as junior mem- 
bers; and the practice has been thought of 
considerable utility. 



PHILADELPHIA LIBRARY, 31 



THE COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS, 

Is also entitled to the respect derived from 
age — having- existed before the revolution. It 
published a half volume of transactions at an 
early period, v^hich, however, has not been 
repeated — various publications of its members 
having been made in other ways, with the 
permission or authority of the body. This 
association has been occasionally consulted by 
the executive of the state, on public questions 
requiring medical opinions. It is one of the 
principal sources from which proceeded the 
Pharmacopseia of the United States. The col- 
lege also entertains discussions ; but students 
and physicians under a certain age are not 
admitted. 

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE. 

The Medical department of this institution 
is established temporarily in Filbert street. It 
is of recent origin, the first course of lectures 
which was well attended having been delivered 
in the winter of 1839-'40. The medical faculty 
of this institution is authorised by law to con. 
fer degrees. 

PHILADELPHIA LIBRARY COMPANY. 

This valuable establishment, sometimes 
called " The Philadelphia Library," and again, 
" The Associate Library," is situated on the 
eastern side of Fifth street, and nearly opposite 
the Hall of the American Philosophical Society 
and Atheneeum. Taken as a whole, the Phila- 
delphia Library is composed of the collection 



32 apprentices' library. 

made since its establishment by Dr. Franklin, 
in 1731, and of the Loganian Library. These 
collections are kept ia separate rooms of the 
same edifice, but are under the direction of the 
same board of managers, and are in fact one 
librarj'-. The front room, or Philadelphia 
Library, contains upwards of thirty thousand 
volumes, embracing works on almost every 
branch of general knowledge. The Loganian 
Library formerly belonged to the late Dr. 
Logan, and is composed of about eleven thou- 
sand volumes of rare books, chiefly classical. 

This library, when open, is free to every 
respectable person — for whose accommodation 
tables and seats are provided. 

friends' lirrary. 
Corner of Fourth and Arch streets. 

This collection, amounting to about three 
thousand volumes, is used on the most liberal 
terms ; the books being lent free of charge, to 
any respectable applicant, who is known or 
suitably recommended to those who have it in 
charge. 

apprentices' library. 

Seventh, between Market and Arch streets. 

Consists of a large and valuable collection of 
books, chiefly adapted to the taste and capaci- 
ties of young men, apprentices, for whose use 
the institution was established. The right of 
using the books is confined to contributors and 
their apprentices ; but the former have the 
power of granting permission to others — so 
that there are very few, desirous of participating 



CUSTOM HOUSE. 33 

in the benefits of the institution, who may not 
do so. 



NORTHERN LIBERTIES LIBRARY. 

No. 260 North Third street. 

SPRING GARDEN LIBRARY. 

No. 3 Spring Garden street. 

SOUTHWARK LIBRARY. 
Second^ opposite German street. 

These three institutions are each provided 
with valuable collections — are conducted on 
the most liberal principles — afford the same 
facilities to readers, and are in most particulars 
organized on the same plan as the city libra- 
ry- 



COMMERCIAL INSTITUTIONS. 

CUSTOM HOUSE. 
Second, below Dock street. 

Is a neat structure, designed by Strickland. 
The front of the basement is of marble — the 
remainder of the exterior of brick. A niche 
in the front contains a statue emblematic of 
Commerce, by Rush. The principal building, 
as well as the stores attached to it, stand some 
distance from the line of the street with which 
they communicate, by means of an iron gate 
placed in the brick wall in front 



34 exchange. 

merchants' exchange. 

Between Dock, Walnut, and Third streets. 

Previously to the erection of the present 
Exchange, the merchants and traders of the 
city assembled in the old building in Second 
street, next the Pennsylvania Bank, now occu- 
pied as an auction store, by Mr. Birch. The 
nevs7 building, vphich is of marble, was com- 
menced in 1834, under the direction, and from 
the design of Mr. Strickland. It occupies a 
triangular space, formed by Third, Walnut, 
and Dock streets. It is in the form of a paral- 
lelogram, its greatest length, being in a di- 
rection from west to east. Its eastern fa§ade 
presents a perfect peristyle, with Corinthian 
columns, raised upon a basement of about 
twelve feet in height. The columns form a 
fine piazza in the form of a semicircle, its 
chord being the eastern side of the main build- 
ing : the whole appearance of the structure is 
imposing and magnificent in a high degree. 
The principal door, on Third street, opens into 
a handsome vestibule in the basement story, 
which unites with a convenient passage, ex- 
tending the whole length of the building, with 
doors on each side, which' communicate with 
apartments fronting on Walnut and Dock 
streets. Those on Walnut street are occupied 
by insurance and broker's ofiices. A spacious 
suite of rooms, fronting on Dock street, is 
appropriated to the business of the city post- 
office. The communications between the dif- 
ferent ofiices in the basement are managed in 
the most convenient manner imaginable. The 
first floor is divided into several apartments : 
that on the eastern side of the building is 



35 



devoted to the use of the subscribers, who 
assemble during the business hours of the day. 
It is splendidly embellished by paintings and 
ornamental devices. The floor consists of 
beautiful mosaic, which supports four appro- 
priate columns. Immediately adjoining the 
rotunda, is a spacious reading-room, well sup- 
plied with the current literature of the day. 
The entire edifice is considered one of the most 
perfect and beautiful structures of the kind in 
the United States. 

ARCADE. 

C/iesnut, above Sixth street. 

The general plan of the Arcade, an imita- 
tion of a Greek temple, is well adapted to the 
purposes for which it was designed. Both of 
the fronts are of Pennsylvania marble, per- 
forated with arches that extend through the 
entire building. Four arches springing from 
the sculptured caps of the arches, support a 
broad frieze, upon which rests a cornice sur- 
mounted by a balustrade. The elevation of 
the front on Chesnut street contains niches and 
friezes, enriched with figures emblematic of 
the character of the edifice. On the ground 
floor there are two avenues, with stone floors, 
extending the entire depth of the building. 
The stores front upon these avenues — each 14 
feet in width : those adjoining the outer walls 
are about one half the size of those of the 
centre, which extend from one avenue to the 
other; each having two fronts. The second 
floor, which is attained by a double flight of 
marble steps at each end, is divided into stores 
similar to those on the ground floor, with a 
narrow gallery supported by iron framing, 



36 MINT. 

which is strongly imbedded in the walls : each 
store is fire-proof. 

The third story was prepared expressly for 
the Philadelphia Museum, which continued to 
occupy it until the completion of its beautiful 
hall in Ninth street, where it was transferred 
in 1839. The cellar is occupied as a refectory. 
The Arcade building has a front on Chesnut 
of one hundred feet, and extends back to Car- 
penter street one hundred and fifty feet. It is 
lighted from the roof, which consists of two 
immense sashes slightly inclined, one on each 
side of the central block, the third story of 
which receives most of its light from above. 



UNITED STATES MINT. 
Corner of Chesnut and Juniper streets. 

This establishment was formed by the 
government of the United States, in 1790, at 
Philadelphia, where it still continues. The 
operation of coining was commenced in 1793, 
in the building now occupied by the Appren- 
tices' Library, in Seventh street, whence the 
apparatus was removed in 1830, to its present 
location in Chesnut street, above Thirteenth. 

The whole of the exterior of this splendid 
edifice is of white marble. The plan, (furnished 
by Mr. Strickland,) is an imitation of a Grecian 
Ionic temple. It comprises several distinct 
apartments, some devoted to the various pro- 
cesses of melting the metal, and reducing it 
into thin plates, milling and stamping the coin, 
&c., and others to the administration of this 
department of the public service. 

The principal fa§ade, on Chesnut street, is 
one hundred and twenty-two feet, that on 
Juniper street is considerably more. 



BAiVKS. 37 

The process of coinage is among' the most 
interesting- and attractive to those who have 
never u^itnessed such operations. Strangers 
are admitted during the morning hours of each 
day, on application to the proper otiicer. 



BANKS. 

BANK OF NORTH AMERICA. 

Chesnut, above Third street. 

This bank, originally chartered by Congress, 
in 17bl, is the first institution of the kind 
organised in the United States. Its charter 
was subsequently confirmed by the state legis- 
lature, and renewed from time to time, as occa- 
sion required. Like most untried measures, 
its establishment was stoutly resisted by many 
influential individuals, whose efforts were at 
length crowned with success, and its charter 
was repealed in 1785. This caused merely a 
temporary suspension of operations : a new 
charter having been obtained from the legisla- 
ture, it resumed business, and has continued its 
operations without further interruption, down 
to the present time. In its early days, the 
bank of North America became intimately and 
extensively connected with the affairs of the 
general government, which were so entirely 
merged in those of the bank, during the revo- 
lutionary struggle, that Robert Morris declared 
in the most emphatic manner, that,' without its 
aid, the business of his department of finance 
could not be carried on. Such was the want 



38 BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA. 

of public confidence in the new institution, at 
the time of its formation, that only two hun- 
dred shares out of the one thousand, which 
constituted the capital of the bank, were taken ; 
and it was some time after the bank had com- 
menced operation, (January, 1783,) that the 
amount of subscriptions paid in exceeded 
$70,000. The present capital of the bank is 
$1,000,000, divided into shares of $400 each. 

BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
Second, helow Chesnut street. 

Was incorporated March 30th, 1793, for 
twenty years — since renewed. Capital stock 
$2,500,000 ; shares $400 each. The building, 
modelled after a Grecian temple, was designed 
by Mr. Latrobe, under whose superintendence 
it was erected. It has two Ionic porticoes of 
six columns each, supporting entablatures and 
pediments. The entire building, 125 feel by 
51, is of white Pennsylvania marble. The 
banking-room is circular, with a dome, and 
lighted by a lantern in the centre. The struc 
ture, in all its parts, affords an admirable spe- 
cimen of Grecian architecture, and as such 
deserves especial notice. Its grounds are very 
tastefully arranged, and encircled by a solid 
stone wall, which supports an iron railing, suffi- 
ciently elevated and substantial to protect the 
plants and shrubbery which serve to beautify 
the area within. 

PHILADELPHIA BANK. 
Corner of Chesnut and Fourth streets. 

Incorporated in 1804 ; present capital $2,- 
000,000; shares $100 each. The banking- 



mechanics' bank. 39 

house is a beautiful structure, extending from 
Fourth street westward to the grounds Lelong- 
ing to the Bank of the United States. In 
addition to the apartments used for banking 
purposes, there are others, similar in form and 
size, on the same floor, now occupied by Messrs. 
Toppan & Co., as a bank note engraving estab- 
lishment ; and the basement, along Chesnut 
street, is divided into four handsome stores. 
The whole, viewed in connection with the 
adjoining buildings, presents a very imposing 
and beautiful appearance. 

FARMERS AND MECHANICS BANK. 

Chesnut, between Fourth and Fifth streets. 

Originally chartered in 1809, and renewed 
in 1824. Present capital $1,250,000; shares 
$50 each. This is a plain, substantial building, 
originally a private dwelling house, altered to 
suit the purposes of the institution, but without 
any pretentions to architectural beauty — solid- 
ity and security, rather than showy display, 
having been aimed at by those who had charge 
of its arrangement. 

BANK OF THE NORTHERN LIBERTIES. 
Vine, near Third street. 

Chartered in 1813 ; capital $500,000 ; shares 
$50 each, 

mechanics' bank. 

Third, below Market street. 

Chartered in 1814; capital $1,400,000 ; shares 
$50 each. The banking-house is a small, but 



40 SCHUYLKILL BANK. 

remarkably neat and chaste building, erected 
within a few years, expressly for the purposes 
of the institution. Like many other beautiful 
structures in our chief cities, the Mechanics' 
Bank is almost entirely hidden from public 
view by the adjoining- buildings, which stand 
on either side, considerably in advance of the 
banking-house, and thus exclude it from the 
sight of many who pass without observing it. 

COMMERCIAL BANK. 

Market street, between Second and Third. 

Chartered in 18)4, renewed 1836; capital 
11,000,000 ; shares $50 each. 

SCHUYLKILL BANK. 
Corner of Market and Sixth streets. 

Chartered in 1814; capital ^1,000,000; 
shares $50 each. There is nothing remarkable 
in the building occupied by the Schuylkill 
Banking Company ; but the institution itself 
has recently acquired an unenviable notoriety 
by the unlawful and outrageous acts of its late 
cashier, and one of its subordinate officers. 

By these acts, the instilution has been 
defrauded of nearly its entire capital — its busi- 
ness suspended, and its future prospects utterly 
blasted, unless means be speedily adopted to 
recover from its present degradation, and to 
restore to the unhapf)y widow and orphan the 
mite, which in an unlucky moment tliey con- 
fided to the keeping of those wretched men, 
who have thus violated the confidence reposed 
inl hem. The directors are now endeavouring 



BANK UNITED STATES. 41 

to re-organise the institution, which, for the 
honor of our community, and in justice to its 
creditors, we sincerely hope may be accom- 
plished without unnecessary delay. 

SOUTHWARK BANK. 

Second street, below Cedar. 

Chartered in 1835 ; capital $250,000 ; sharei 
$50 each. 

KENSINGTON BANK. 

Beach street, near Maiden. 

Re-chartered for fifteen years, from Novem- 
ber, 1826 ; capital $250,000 ; shares $50 each. 

BANK OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Ckesnut street, between Fourth and Fifth. 

Chartered for thirty years, by the state of 
Pennsylvania, February 18, 1836; capital 
$35,000,000; shares $100 each. Originally 
incorporated by Congress, in 1816, the Bank of 
the United States was generally regarded, espe- 
cially by foreigners, as a co-ordinate branch of 
the American government ; and in consequence 
of this erroneous impression, the institution 
had acquired an almost unlimited credit, both 
at home and abroad — when, in 1836, its 
charter expired, and the bank descended 
from its elevated position, and became a 
state institution, under the title of the 
" United States Bank of Pennsylvania." 
Its course since that period is known to most 
d2 



43 LNITED STATES BANK. 

persons. With the exception of the quarrel 
with the late and present administration of the 
general government, which have manifested on. 
every occasion a decided hosliUty towards the 
institution, its history resembles that of all 
similar establishments every where. 

The banking-house, with which we have 
most to do at present, is an imitation, both in 
form and order, of the Parthenon, a Doric 
temple at Athens, of which it is a copy, with 
the omission of tlie colonades at the flanks, and 
some other decorations. 

The ascent to the porticoes is by a flight of 
steps in front of the building. On the plat- 
form, 87 feet front, and 161 feet deep, including 
the porticoes, the building is erected. In front, 
steps of marble lead to the basement, project- 
ing 10 feet 6 inches, upon which rise eight 
Doric columns, 4 feet 6 inches in diameter, and 
27 feet high — supporting a plain entalilature 
and a pediment, the vertical angle of which is 
153°. The door of entrance opens into a large 
vestibule with circular ends, opening into otfiee 
rooms, and a lobby leading to the banking- 
room. The vestibule ceiling is a prolonged 
pannelled dome, divided into three compart- 
ments by bands enriched with guilloches, 
springing from a projecting impost, containing 
a sunken frette. Tlse pavement is tessellated 
with American and Italian marble throughout. 
The banking-room occupies the centre of the 
building, and is 48 feet wide by 81 feet E. and 
W., and is lighted from cither end. Two rows 
of fluted marble columns, of the Greek Ionic 
order, 22 inches in diameter, with full entabla- 
ture and blocking course, are placed, each ten 
feet distance from the side walls. On these the 



UNITED STATES BANK. 43 

great central and lateral arches of the roof are 
supported. The first is semi-cylindrical; is 
28 feet in diameter, 81 in length, and sub- 
divided into seven compartments, richly orna- 
mented. The ceiling is 35 feet from the floor 
to the crown of the arch, and is executed vi^ith 
great precision and effect. An Isthmian 
wreath, carved from an entire block of Penn- 
sylvania white marble, surrounds the clock 
face, which occupies the space of the first 
pannel over the entablature in the centre, the 
design of which is copied from the reverse of 
an antique gem, found at Corinth, and described 
by Stewart, in his work on the antiquities of 
Athens. The clerks' desks are placed within 
the intercolumniations — the tellers' counters, 
composed of marble, forming pannelled pedes- 
tals, across each end of the banking-room, 
commencing at the first column at each end of 
the walls. 

The stockholders' room is a parallelogram of 
28 by 50 feet, lighted from the portico of the 
south front, with a rich ceiling, and otherwise 
ornamented. The committee rooms, from the 
stockholders', open right and left, flanked by 
two flights of marble stairs, leading to the 
apartments of the upper story. A private stair- 
case from the banking-room leads to the direc- 
tors', engravers and copperplate printers' rooms, 
which are lighted from the roof. 

The interior corresponds in grandeur with 
the exterior, and the whole of this magnificent 
edifice presents an admirable example of the 
skill and taste of the accomplished architect, 
William Strickland. It was commenced in 
1819, and occupied nearly five years in its 
construction, the original cost of which was 



44 GIRARD BANK. 

about $500,000 ; but on closing the old institu- 
tion, it was sold to the present proprietors for 
$300,000. 

GIRARD BANK. 

Third street below Chesnut street. 

Chartered in 1832; capital $5,000,000; 
shares $50 each. The building occupied by 
this institution was erected for, and used by, the 
old Bank of the United States, whose charter 
expired in 1810, when the late Stephen Girard 
became the owner of it, and commenced the 
business of banking on his own account. Soon 
after the decease of Mr. Girard, a company, 
under the name of the Girard Bank, purchased 
the building and its appliances, and continued 
with an augmented capital, the business which 
its late owner had so successfully prosecuted. 
The edifice is elegant and spacious, with ex- 
tensive grounds neatly laid out and ornamented. 
Its front is of marble, enriched by a portico and 
six Corinthian columns of the same material. 
Its side and back consist of red brick walls, 
forming a striking and disagreeable contrast 
with its white marble front and portico. 



BANK OF PENN TOWNSHIP. 
Corner of Sixth and Vine streets. 

Chartered in 1826; capital $250,000; shares 
$50 each. This is a remarkably neat and 
chaste structure, stuccoed in imitation of mar- 
ble, and is seen to great advantage from the 
public square in front. 



SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS. 45 



ERN LIBERTIES 

Corner of Vine and Third streets. 

Chartered in 1832 ; capital $600,000 : shares 
$50 each. This is a very liandsome, though 
small building-, well adapted to the purposes for 
whicii it was erected. 

MOYAMENSING BANK. 
Corner of Second and Ckesnut streets. 

Chartered in 1832; capital $250,000; shares 
$50 each. 

WESTERN BANK. 

Market street above Ninth street. 

Chartered in 1832 ; capital $50,000 ; shares 
$50 each. 



SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS AND LOAN 
COMPANIES. 



PHILADELPHIA SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY. 
Walnut above Third street. 

The common dwelling-house in which the 
business of this institution was commenced has 
been displaced by a neat marble building every 
way suited to its objects. 



46 INSURANCE COMPANIES. 

Most of the following savings institutions 
occupy ordinary buildings. Philadelphia City 
Savings Institution, 99 North Second street. 
Kensington Savings Institution, 435 North 
Second street. Manufacturers and Mechan- 
ics^ Beneficial Savings Institution of the 
Northern Liberties, 346 North Second street. 
Northern Liberties Kensington and Spring 
Garden Saving Fund Society, 339 North 
Third street. Mechanics and Tradesmens'* 
Loan Company of the state of Pennsylvania^ 
16 South Sixth street. Southern Loan Com. 
pany, corner of Spruce and South Second 
streets. 



INSURANCE COMPANIES. 



North America, (Fire and Marine,) S. W. 
corner of Dock and Walnut streets. Insurance 
Company of the state of Pennsylvania, (Marine) 
N. E. corner of Dock and Second streets. 
Philadelphia Insurance Company, (Marine) S. 
W. corner of Second and Walnut streets. 
Phoenix, (Marine) 52 Walnut street. Union, 
(Marine) 6 Merchants' Exchange. Marine, 
50 Walnut. Delaivare, (Marine) 3 Merchants' 
Exchange. United States, (Marine) 5 Mer- 
chants' Exchange. Atlantic, (Marine) 4 Mer- 
chants' Exchange. American, (Marine) N. E. 
corner of Walnut and Third streets. Pennsyl- 
vania, (Fire) 134 Walnut street. The office of 
this company consists of a beautiful four story 
building, marble front, in imitation of the an- 
cient Egyptian style of architecture of which 



CHURCHES. 47 

it presents an admirable, and we believe, the 
only specimen of the kind in Philadelphia. It 
is seen to great advantage from the open square 
in front. Mutual Assurance, (Fire) 54 Walnut 
street. American, (Fire) 101 Chesnut street. 
Franklin, (Fire) 163 J Chesnut. Philadelphia 
Contributionship, (Fire) 96 South Fourth street. 
Fire Association, 34 North Fifth street. Coun. 
ty, (Fire) 248 North Third street. Southwavk 
(Fire) 257 South Second street. Spring Gar- 
den, (Fire) N. W. corner of Wood and North 
Sixth streets. Philadelphia Fire and Inland 
Navigation, N. W. corner of Walnut and Third 
streets. Delaware County, (Fire) 36 Walnut 
street. Washington, 48 Walnut street. Penn- 
sylvania, (Life) 72 South Third street. Girard 
(Life) 159 Chesnut street. 



CHURCHES. 



Among the great number of places of public 
vi^orship in and about Philadelphia, and the al- 
most infinite variety in the style of their con- 
struction, there are but few which claim special 
notice : we shall therefore confine our descrip- 
tion to such only as from their antiquity or ar- 
chitectural beauty, deserve the attention of 
strangers, for whom our work is chiefly in- 
tended, and conclude our remarks upon this 
head, with a simple enumeration of the various 
churches, and their localities respectively. 



48 CHRIST CHURCH. 

CHRIST CHURCH. 

Second, above Market street. 

The primitive one story edifice which occu- 
pied the present site of Christ Church, was 
built under the direction of the Rev. Mr. Clay- 
ton, an Episcopal clergyman, in 1691, and en- 
larged in 1710. In 1727, it was further en- 
larged by an addition on the west, and in 1731, 
hy another on the east side of the main build- 
ing. The spire one hundred and ninety-six feet 
in height, was commenced in 1753, and com- 
pleted in the following year, by means of a lot- 
tery ; a mode of raising money not uncommon 
in those days, for we find that " there was 
also a lottery for the benefit of the vestry" 
(of Christ Church) " by which $36,000 were 
obtained. 

During the revolutionary troubles, the bells, 
eight in number, which had so long delighted 
the citizens, were removed from the steeple 
and sunk in the Delaware, lest they should fall 
into the hands of the enemy. They were how- 
ever soon restored to their former position, which 
they have since been permitted to occupy vs^ith- 
out farther molestation. 

As may be supposed, a church built at such 
ciifFerent and distant periods, is wanting in 
unity of construction, but notwithstanding this 
defect, it is justly considered one of the finest 
edifices of the kind in the country; and when 
associated with the primitive history and pro- 
gress of the city, possesses peculiar interest. 



CHURCHES. 



49 



ST. Stephen's church. 

[Protestant Episcopal.] 

Tenth street, between Market and Chesnut. 

This is a fine specimen of Gothic architec- 
ture, about one hundred feet long, and fifty 
wide. On the front are two octangular towers, 
eighty-six feet in height, so constructed as to 
admit of farther elevation at some convenient 
season. The upper parts of the windows are 
embellished with cherubims in white glass on 
a field of blue, and the sashes are filled with 
diamond-shaped glass of various hues, orna- 
mented in the same manner — forming, with 
the beautiful pulpit and chancel, a scene highly 
attractive and impressive. 

ST. Andrew's church. 

Eighth street, above Spruce. 

This is also an Episcopal church, built 
expressly for the late Rev. Dr. Bedell. It affords 
a good specimen of the Grecian style of archi- 
tecture: but its decorations in front (bachanalian 
emblems), strike the beholder as inappropriate 
in a high degree. The general appearance of 
the entire structure is, however, very imposing. 
The interior of St. Andrew's is remarkably 
neat; and the disposition of the pulpit, with its 
appliances, though perhaps rather gaudy, is 
well conceived, and imparts to the whole a 
pleasing effect. 

The other Episcopal churches, are : 

St. James, in Seventh street, above Market. 

St. Peters, corner of Third and Pine street, 

E 



50 SWEDES CHURCH. 

This church, St. James, and Christ church, 
were formerly united in one act of incorpora- 
tion, with one vestry ; their property was held 
in common, and the services in each were per- 
formed by their rectors alternately. This 
union was dissolved some years since, and each 
church now transacts its secular affairs inde- 
pendently of the others. 

St. Paul's, Third street, below Walnut. 

St. John's, Brown street, near north Third. 

EPIPHANY. 

Corner of Chesnut and SchuylkUl Eighth st. 
This is a remarkably neat and elegant 
structure, with an extensive portico and entab- 
lature, supported by several massive pillars. 

GRACE CHURCH. 
Corner of Twelfth street and Cherry. 

Also a beautiful structure, erected within a 
few years. 

Trinity Church, Catherine street, near 
Second. 

Church of the Ascension, Lombard street,, 
above Eleventh, 

Church of the Evangelists, Fifth street 
above Catherine. 

St. Thomas (African), Fifth street, below 
Walnut. 

Union (African), Coates street, below Old 
York road. 

SWEDES CHURCH. 
Swanson street, near the Navy Yard. 
The first church built on the west side of the 
Delaware, was on Tinicum island, by the 



51 



Swedes, and consecrated September 4th, 1646. 
Their increasing numbers from emig-ration, 
and natural causes, and the extension of their 
settlement up the Delaware and Schuylkill, 
requiring- in a few years a more convenient 
and central place of worship, a block-house 
was erected on the shore of the Delaware, near 
to where the present Sw^edish church stands, in 
Southwark, and was consecrated in the summer 
of 1677. By that time, the Swedes had settled 
as far up as Pennipack, and Neshaminy, the 
falls of Schuylkill, and through the peninsula 
or neck, below where Philadelphia now stands, 
in Wicocoa, Moyamensing, and Passajung, in 
all about twenty families. The present Swedish 
church was consecrated 2d July, 1700, and for 
many years was the only place of worship for 
the foreign emigrants, on both sides of the 
Delaware and Schuylkill. For nearly fifty 
years, divine worship was performed in the 
Swedish language. The Rev. Dr. Collin was 
the rector for more than half a century. 

The Swedes have also a church in Kingses- 
sing, about six miles from the city, and one in 
Merion township, Philadelphia county, of both 
of which Dr. Collin was rector. 

ST. John's church. 

[Roman Catholic] 

Thirteenth street^ above Chesnut. 

Is a splendid Gothic chapel, with projecting 
angles, surmounted by corresponding turrets. 
The gable end of the main building faces the 
street, from which it is entered by a noble 
flight of steps. The windows are composed of 



52 CHURCHES. 

stained glass, and the interior is decorated with 
several appropriate pictures. The outside of 
the building- is stuccoed in imitation of granite, 
which gives to the whole an appearance every 
way attractive. 



Fourth street, between Race and Vine. 

This is also a Roman Catholic chapel, hand- 
somely constructed. 

ST. Joseph's church. 

Willing's Alley, between Walnut, Spruce, Third 
and Fourth streets. 

This JS a new and elegant building, erected 
on the site of the old one-story house, in which 
the congregation formerly worshipped. 

ST. Mary's church. 

Fourth street, above Spruce. 

TRIPflTY CHURCH. 
Corner of Spruce and Sixth streets. 

These, and one at Fairmount, are the only 
Catholic churches within the bounds of the 
city and incorporated districts. 

FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH. 

Corner of Locust and Tenth streets. 

This is a very chaste and beautiful specimen 
of the Grecian Doric, with a handsome portico, 
upon which are placed four marble columns, 



CHURCHES. 53 

supporting an entablature of elegant propor- 
tions. The entire structure, surrounded as it 
is by a light and airy iron railing, has a very 
imposing appearance. 

riRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

Fronting on Washington Square. 

This is perhaps the most elegant structure 
yet erected by the Presbyterians. It consists 
of brick walls stuccoed in imitation of marble; 
and it resembles in form and decorations one 
of the Ionic temples at Athens. 

FIFTH PRESBYTERIAN- CHURCH. 
Arch street, between Tenth and Eleventh. 

This church deserves especial notice, as it is 
one of the very few in Philadelphia which are 
decorated with spires. Its structure in general 
is neat, and admirably adapted to the purposes 
to which it is devoted. 

The other Presbyterian churches are : 

The Second, in Seventh street, near Arch, a 
handsome structure. 

The Third, corner of Fourth and Pine street. 

The Fourth, corner of Fifth and Gaskill 
streets. 

The Sixth, in Spruce street, near Seventh. 

The Seventh, in Ranstead's court, in the rear 
:©f Chesnut street, west of Fourth. 

The Eighth, Spruce street, near Third. 

The Ninth, Thirteenth street, above Market. 

The Tenth, corner of Twelfth and Walnut 
streets. 

The Eleventh, Vine street, above Thirteenth. 

The Twelfth, Cedar street, above Twelfth. 
E 2 



54 CHURCHES. 

Tke Thirteenth^ Lombard street, near Schuyl- 
kill Second. 

The Central^ corner of Eighth and Cherry 
streets. 

The Central, Coates street, between Third 
and Fourth. 

The Western. The Franklin Street. 

3%e First, (Northern Liberties,) Buttonwood 
street, near Sixth. 

The Second, (do.,) Sixth street, above Green, 

The First, (Southwark,) German street, 
between Third and Fourth. 

The Second, (do.,) corner of Second street 
and Moyamensing road. 

The First, (Kensington,) Palmer street. 

The Fairmount. 

The Associate, Walnut street, above Fourth. 

The Reformed, Twelfth street, belov/ Market. 

The Reformed, Cherry street, near Eleventh. 

DUTCH REFORMED. 

The First, Crown street, near Race. 

The Second, corner of Tenth and Filbert. 

The First, (African,) Seventh street, below 
South. 

The Second, (do.,) St. Mary street, above 
Sixth. 

BAPTIST CHURCHES. 

The First, Second street, near Arch. 

The Second, Budd street, above Poplar lane. 

The Third, Second street, below Queen. 

The New Market Street. 

The Fifth, Sansom street, above Eighth. 

The Spruce Street, Spruce, below Fourth. 

The Central, N.E. cor. Thirteenth and Race. 



CHURCHES. 55 

The Moyamensing, Ninth street, below 
Shippen. 

The Seventh Street, Seventh street, near 
Callowhill. 

The Tenth, Lawrence street, above Green. 

The Eleventh, Cherry and Fifth streets. 

The Union, (African,) Little Pine street, near 
Seventh. 

METHODIST CHURCHES. 

St. George^s, Fourth street, above Race. 

St. John Street, St. John, above Beaver. 

Ebenezer, Christian street, below Fourth. 

Kensington, corner of Queen and Marlboro 
streets. 

Salem, Thirteenth street, below Spruce. 

Union, Fourth street, above Market. 

Nazareth, Thirteenth street, near Vine. 

Fifth Street, Fifth, near Green. 

Eighth Street, Eighth, above Noble. 

St. PauVs, Catherine street, between Sixth 
and Seventh. 

Harmony, Budd street, above Brown. 

Fairmount. 

Western, or Brickmakers\ Schuylkill Third 
street, below Walnut. 

East Kensington. 

Wesley Chapel, corner of Schuylkill Eighth 
and Market streets. 

African, Sixth street, near Lombard. 

Wesleyan, (African,) Lombard street, below 
Sixth. 



Corner of Fourth and Arch streets. 
Washington Square. 



56 CHURCHES. 

Twelfth street, below Market. 

Sixth street and Noble. 

Corner of Ninth and Spruce streets. 

Cherry street, near Fifth. 

Green street, near Fourth. 

Corner of Fifth and Arch streets. 

CONGREGATIOIf AL CHURCH. 
The First, South street, below Tenth. 

GERMAN REFORMED. 
The First, Race street, below Fourth. 

INDEPENDENT. 

Broad street, below Chesnut. 

jews' synagogues. 

Cherry street, near Third. 

Church alley, between Second and Third. 

Pear street, above Dock. 

LUTHERAN CHURCHES. 

Evangelical Church of St. John, Race street 
near Fifth. 

St. Matthew's, New street, near Fourth. 

St. MichaeVs, corner of Appletree alley and 
Fifth street. 

Zion, corner of Fourth and Cherry streets. 

MORAVIAN CHURCH. 
Race street, near Second. 

SWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH. 
Fourth street, below German. 



PLACES OF AMUSEMENT. 57 



mariners' churches. 

Bethel, (Methodist,) corner of Shippen and 
Swanson streets. 

Eastburn, Water street, near Chesnut. 
Bethel, (Baptist,) Water street, near Race. 

UNIVERSALIST CHURCHES. 

The First, Lombard street, below Fifth. 
The Second, Callowhill street, below Fifth. 



PLACES OF AMUSEMENT. 

PHILADELPHIA THEATRE. 

Chesnut street, above Sixth-. 

This establishment was founded in 1791 — 
rebuilt in 1805 — and, with all its scenery, &c., 
destrojed by fire in 1821. On the 2nd of 
December, 1822, the present building was 
thrown open to the public. It has a front on 
Chesnut street, of ninety-two feet in length, 
and a depth of one hundred and fifty feet. The 
centre building is flanked by two wings, deco- 
rated with niches containing emblematic figures 
of tragedy and comedy, and basso relievo, repre- 
resenting the tragic and cotnic muses, with 
the attributes of Apollo. In front of the main 
building is an arcade, which supports a screen 
of marble columns, and a plain entablature. 

The approach to the boxes is from Chesnut 
street, through a close arcade of five entrances, 



58 THEATRES. 

which open into a vestibule 58 feet long, by 8 
in width. There are three rows of boxes, 
which, with the pit and gallery, will accommo- 
date upwards of two thousand persons. 

AMERICAN" THEATRE. 

Corner of Ninth and Walnut streets. 

This house was built in 18 14, by Victor 
Pepin, the famous equestrian, who employed it 
for several years as a circus. It was subse- 
quently altered so as to admit of dramatic, as 
well as equestrian performances: the latter, 
however, were entirely discontmued prior to 
1828, when the structure was completely reno- 
vated, and prepared for dramatic representa- 
tions exclusively. Its present front is of blue 
marble, supported in the centre by eight 
columns of the same material, which divide 
the grand entrance into three passages leading 
to the boxes and pit. Previously to its last 
alteration, the establishment was known as the 
*' Olympic Theatre," which, owing to its varied 
entertainments, was, for a long time, an object 
of great attraction. 

ARCH STREET THEATRE. 

Arch street, ahove Sixth. 

Erected in 1828, by a joint stock company. 
Its front, as well as the pillars which support 
a Doric frieze, is of marble, and is decorated 
by an alto relievo, representing Apollo, by 
Gevelot. The interior is finished in a hand- 
some and appropriate style. This establish- 
ment is seldom open, excepting when the 



MUSEUM. 59 

Chesnut street theatre is closed — as the mana- 
gers of the latter have become the lessees of 
the Arch street house. 

During the wiater of 1839-40, it was occu- 
pied by a company of German amateurs, whose 
performances were in their native language. 

SUMMER THEATRE. 

Chesnut street, below Ninth. 

This was formerly employed as an equestrian 
circus ; but has recently been altered and 
adapted to dramatic entertainments, chiefly of 
a musical description. 

WASHINGTON THEATRE. 

Northern Liberties. 

Is a wooden building, originally erected in 
1828, for an equestrian company. It has since 
been fitted up for dramatic performances. 

PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM. 
Ninth street, below Chesnut. 

For more than half a century, Peale's 
Museum, by which name this establishment 
was known previously to its incorporation, has 
been celebrated as a repository of curiosities, 
both in nature and art. After undergoing 
various mutations, from the hall of the Philo- 
sophical Society to the State House, and thence 
to the Arcade, where it assumed its present 
appelation, it has at length, it is hoped, found a 
permanent resting place. 

In 1838, the building now occupied by the 



60 MUSEUM. 

Philadelphia Museum was commenced at the 
northeast corner of Ninth and George streets, 
after a design by Isaac Holden. It was com- 
pleted in the following year, when the entire 
collection which forms the Museum, was trans- 
ferred from the Arcade, and the hall opened for 
exhibition shortly afterwards. It consists of 
one immense structure, 238 feet in length, and 
70 in breadth, and two stories high. 

With the exception of its gigantic dimen- 
sions, there is nothing in its exterior particu- 
larly striking. In point of architectural beauty, 
the Museum hall is inferior to many other 
public buildings in the city ; and, but for its 
unusual size, it would fail to attract attention. 
The interior, however, compensates in a great 
measure for its outward deficiencies. The 
apartment devoted to the museum is on the 
second floor, and, with the exception of a small 
space at the western end, occupied by the stair- 
case, is co-extensive with the building, and of a 
corresponding height. On each side, along the 
entire length of the hall, and at an elevation 
above the floor of some ten or twelve feet, a 
gallery of about fifteen feet in width is erected, 
which is effectually screened by a balustrade 
nearly breast high, extending the whole length 
of the room. 

The galleries are supported by square up- 
rights, which serve the purpose of bases for 
the beautiful columns, which reach to, and 
sustain the ceiling. If the hall is admirably 
adapted to the purposes for which it was con- 
structed, as it really is, the arrangement of its 
contents is no less admirable, in every sense of 
the term. The cases containing the various 
objects of curiosity, are situated between the 



MUSEUM. 61 

windows, both on the floor and in the galleries. 
These project some eight or ten feet from the 
walls, and are glazed on all their exposed 
sides ; and thus, while they protect, do not 
obstruct the view of various objects within. 
The distribution of the infinite variety of speci- 
mens in every department of science and the 
arts, and the systematic arrangement of the 
whole collection, cannot fail to meet the appro- 
bation of all, and especially those who are 
experimentally acquainted with such things. 

In addition to the articles which legitimately 
belong to a museum, other and varied objects 
lend their aid to gratify the visiter. These, 
combined with occasional musical entertain- 
ments, and the vast concourse of well dressed 
persons who nightly assemble here, render this 
branch of the establishment peculiarly attrac- 
tive. 

Attached to the museum, on the ground 
floor, at the eastern end of the building, is an 
extensive and commodious lecture-room, with 
seats arranged in form of an amphitheatre. 

The remainder of the ground floor is appro- 
priated to Mr. Dunn's magnificent 

CHINESE COLLECTION, 

Which presents a most splendid array of unique 
and interesting objects in every department of 
Chinese domestic economy, and illustrates, 
most satisfactorily, the manners, customs, and 
habits of that remarkable people. The general 
structure of the room and the disposition of the 
show cases do not differ materially from the 
museum above. The whole is well calculated 
for displaying the articles to the best advantage. 



62 ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS. 

The saloon, which is one hundred and sixty- 
three feet in length, on George street, and seventy 
in width on Ninth street, contains, at present, 
Jlfty-three cases, in which most of this vast 
collection is arranged for exhibition. It com- 
prises figures in wax, male and female, of all 
classes of Chinese society, in their appropriate 
costume ; household furniture ; implements of 
trade; manufactures of all kinds; military 
weapons ; personal and other ornaments ; spe- 
cimens in every department of natural history ; 
paintings, and other works of art — altogether 
forming one of the most delightful and instruc- 
tive exhibitions in which our city abounds. 

The collection was made by Nathan Dunn, 
Esq., during a residence of several years in 
China — to whose assiduous labours the public 
is indebted for the rare gratification whicl\ all 
experience on viewing this admirable combina- 
tion of all that is beautiful and interesting in 
an empire whose character and condition are 
thus rendered familiar to us ; and whose politi- 
cal existence is now menaced for daring to 
maintain its laws in opposition to the European 
opium trafickers, and their equally base sup- 
porters. 

PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF THE TINE 

ARTS. 

Chesnut street, above Tenth. 

This institution was founded in 1805, by a 
company of gentlemen, mostly amateurs. Its 
collection of pictures and other works of art, 
is extensive, and, with a few exceptions, valua- 
ble. It comprises, in addition to its stock pic- 



artists' fund society. 63 

tures, a larg-e collection of plaster casts. Among- 
the paintings of a superior class, of which there 
are many in the academy, the following de- 
serve especial notice : Death on tlie Pale Horse, 
by West — Christ entering- Jerusalem, by Hay- 
don — Napoleon crossing the Alps, by David — 
Dead Man raised by touching the Prophet's 
Bones ; and others. The academy is open 
daily. 



311 Chesnut street, in front of the preceding. 

This active and meritorious institution has 
been in existence only a few years ; but such 
is the zeal with which its affairs have been con- 
ducted, and such the industry of its active 
members, nearly all of whom are artists, that 
it has already assumed a position far in advance 
of its cotemporaries. 

The hall of the society, just completed, is 
designed for the exhibition of the works of its 
members, and others. It consists of one apart- 
ment, forty by fifty feet, well lighted during 
the day by a lantern in the centre of the roo^ 
and at night by gas. The exhibition usually 
commences in the month of May, and continues 
open to the public for six or eight weeks. 

One of the leading objects of this society is 
to provide a fund for the support of decayed 
artists. This alone is a sufficient apology for 
its establishment ; but when superadded to the 
other, that of improving public taste, it cannot 
fail to receive that support and countenance 
from the community which are requisite to 
enable the institute to accomplish all its ends 
and aims. 



64 artists' association. 

artists' and amateurs' association. 

Arcade — Chesnut street. 

This is also a new institution, established 
May, 1840. Its first public exhibition, which 
was numerously attended, was opened in April, 
and closed on the lOth June, of the same year. 
The objects of this association, similar in some 
respects to those of the Artists' Fund Society, 
are essentially different in others : while the 
latter makes provision for the future wants of 
aged and infirm members, the former contri- 
butes to the present support of its professional 
members, in a manner least repugnant to their 
feelings, by the purchase of their works, to 
which all the available funds of the institution 
are to be applied. The pictures thus acquired 
by the society are annually distributed by lot 
among its amateur members. 

The plan is excellent, and if judiciously car- 
ried out, and divested of its lottery feature, 
cannot fail to prove advantageous, in every 
point of view, to the artists themselves, whose 
works, thus diffused throughout the community, 
will create and extend among its members a 
love for the art of painting, and a corresponding 
respect and regard for its professors. 

SULLY AND EARLE'S PICTURE GALLERY. 

Chesnut street^ ahove Fifth. 

This is a neat saloon, well filled with choice 
paintings, chiefly by Mr. Thomas Sully. 



PANORAMA. 65 



Spruce street, between Eighth and Ninth. 

The immense picture of Christ Healing- in 
the Temple, presented by the late Benjamin 
West to the Pennsylvania Hospital, forms one 
of the leading objects to which the attention of 
strangers should be directed. 

This painting is equally deemed by the con- 
noisseur and the uninitiated, one of the finest 
productions of its distinguished author. 

PANORAMA BUILDING. 

Ninth street, below Chesnut. 

This is a large circular building, designed 
for the exhibition of panoramic pictures, for 
which it is well fitted, both in structure and 
locaUty. 

DIORAMA. 
Sansom street, above Eighth. 

This has been long used for the display of 
large paintings. The beautiful picture of the 
Departure of the Israelites, and several other 
similar works of art, have been successively 
exhibited here. 

MUSICAL rUND HALL. 

Locust street, between Eighth and Ninth. 

Without any especial pretension to architec- 
tural beauty, the Hall of the Musical Fund 
Society claims attention as the centre around 



66 PUBLIC GARDENS. 

which the musical talent of the city revolves, 
and to which the lovers of music are accus- 
tomed to repair. 

Constructed with particular reference to its 
primary object, for which it is admirably 
adapted, the hall is almost constantly employed, 
either by its owners, or by professional indi- 
viduals, whose musical entertainments scarcely 
ever fail to gratify the immense number of 
persons who usually attend on those occasions. 
In addition to the cultivation and improvement 
of public taste, another leading object of the 
society is to provide a fund for the future aid 
and support of such of its aged or infirm mem- 
bers and their families, as may require relief. 
To this benevolent feature in the organization 
of the society, may be fairly ascribed the great 
success which has uniformly attended its efforts 
for the establishment and augmentation of this 
fund, which, while it serves as a bond of union 
among its more fortunate members, stimulates 
the recipients of its bounty to increased dili- 
gence in ministering to the gratification of its 
supporters ; and thus, by a system of perfect 
reciprocity, all sense of obligation that might 
be entertained by either party, is entirely 
effaced. 



PUBLIC GARDENS. 



There are several Botanic gardens in the vici- 
nity of the city, at some of which musical and 
other entertainments are occasionally given. 



GARDENS. 67 



m' Aran's garden. 

Filbert, between Schuylkill Fifth and Sixth 
streets. 

Forms now the chief attraction in this way. 
It is open every day and evening ; when, in 
addition to the great variety of beautiful plants, 
the visiter is entertained by music, fire- 
works, &c. 



West side of the Schuylkill, below Gray^s Ferry. 

Contains a vast collection of exotic and indi- 
genous plants. Among the trees is an immense 
cypress, brought from the Oregon mountains, 
when a mere twig : it now measures twenty- 
seven feet in circumference, three feet from the 
ground. The railroad cars to Wilmington pass 
through the grounds, and afford the means of 
reaching this delightful spot. 

landreth's garden. 

Federal, between Ashton and Schuylkill Front 

streets. 

Is also a very attractive place, being well sup- 
plied with plants and shrubbery of all kinds, 
and kept in the most perfect order. 

Parker's garden, 
Corner of Prime and Tenth streets, 

buist's garden, 

Lombard street, near Tenth, 



6s benevolent institutions, 
hibbert's garden, 

Thirteenth street, above South, 
Also deserve attention. 



BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. 



COUNTY ALMS-HOUSE. 

West side of the Schuylkill, opposite South 
street. 

This immense structure, as its name imports, 
is designed for the reception of such of the des- 
titute poor of the city and county of Philadel- 
phia as may choose to avail themselves of its 
accommodations. It consists of a centre build- 
ing with wings, flanked by two others, in addi- 
tion to two extensive structures, wholly detached 
from the rest, one at each end of the vast pile. 
The centre building is two, and the others 
three stories high : the whole faces the Schuyl- 
kill, and presents the appearance of a miniature 
city, when viewed from the opposite bank. The 
building, with the necessary enclosures, cover 
nearly ten of the one hundred and eighty acres 
which belong to, and surround the establish- 
ment. The site is considerably elevated above 
the river bank, and commands an extensive 
view of the city and adjacent country. 

The arrangements of the building within 
are on a scale corresponding with its exterior : 
the men's dining.room, on the first floor, being 



PRrENDS' ALMS-HOUSE. 69 

sufficient to accommodate upwards of five hun- 
dred persons. The objects of this institution 
are rather more comprehensive than those of 
most others of the kind. In addition to its 
uses as a mere akns-house, there are v^rork- 
shops in which many of the inmates are em- 
ployed — an asylum, and a school for male and 
female children — an obstetric apartment, with 
the requisite appliances — an extensive library, 
both medical and miscellaneous — a depository 
for the manufactures of the house and others of 
a like nature. As the whole establishment is 
kept in excellent order, and provided with every 
necessary convenience for the comfort and 
accommodation of its inmates, it is not surpris- 
ing that many should partake of its ample pro- 
visions. The average number of paupers who 
are sheltered in this establishment, is about 
fifteen hundred, which is greatly augmented 
on the approach of winter, and diminished on 
the return of spring. The house is governed 
by twelve citizens, elected by the joint votes of 
the city and district corporations. The services 
performed by these gentlemen, though arduous, 
are gratuitous. They appoint the superintend- 
ent, matron, and all the subordinate officers 
and attendants, regulate its fiscal affairs, and 
direct all such other matters as belong to the 
general management of the institution. 

friends' alms-house. 

Walnut street, below Fourth, 

This building is remarkable for its antique 
appearance. No one who visits the neighbour- 
hood can fail to observe its moss-covered roofi 



70 widows' asylum. 

scarcely beyond hxis reach, and the time-worn 
steps which lead to its reversed front. The 
various tenements into which the structure is 
divided, fronts on a hollow square, used in 
common by their tenants, who are variously 
occupied : some in the practice of their trade, 
others in the cultivation of their little garden 
spots, and such other light employments as 
their decayed strength will permit. In this 
way the inhabitants of this little community 
partly maintain themselves. This establish- 
ment was formed and is supported by the 
Society of Friends, who thus relieve the county 
from the expense of maintaining the indigent 
members of that society. 



HALL OF THE INDIGENT WIDOWS AND 



Cherry, between Schuylkill Fifth and Sixth 
streets. 

This is a neat two-story building, erected 
expressly for the accommodation of such 
females of respectable character, not less than 
sixty years of age, as may be unable to main- 
tain themselves. On entering the establish, 
ment, each inmate is required to consign her 
property to the institution ; and to pay thirty 
dollars, or fifty dollars, if no property is brought. 
These regulations refer to such as are entirely 
dependent upon the institution: others are 
admitted as boarders, but not to the exclusion 
of the former. Visiters are treated with respect 
and attention, and are conducted through any 
part of the building they may be disposed to 



orphans' asylum. 71 

examine. By a strict course of discipline, and 
a rigid observance of the rules, perfect harmony 
is preserved among the inmates, who appear to 
be quite contented with their lot. 

PHILADELPHIA ORPHANS' ASYLUM. 
Adjoining the preceding. 

This truly admirable institution occupies a 
new building erected on the site of one which, 
with twenty-three of its inmates, was entirely 
destroyed by fire on the night of January 23d, 
1822, The new building, from a design by 
Strickland, is fire-proof— the basement being 
arched, and the stairs of stone. The object of 
this society is not only to provide a home for 
orphans, but also the means of educating them. 
It has been in successful operation for more 
than a quarter of a century, and it still con- 
linues, with unabated energy, its benevolent 
labours. 

The following are some of the particulars in 
relation to the awful catastrophe just alluded 
to. At the time of its occurrence, there were 
ninety orphans in the family ; and of those who 
escaped, few saved more than the clothes in 
which they slept. In this condition they fled 
to the Widows' Asylum ; but such was the sym- 
pathy and liberality extended towards them by 
the citizens, that before night, comfortable 
accommodations were provided for all. The 
fire was first discovered by the matron, who 
immediately aroused the children, and assisted 
them in escaping. The stair-case was soon 
filled with smoke, and crowded with little crea^ 



72 orphans' asylum. 

tures, who, seeing the light reflected from the 
adjoining houses, and probably suffering from 
the intense cold, could with difficulty be per- 
suaded to leave the house. 

By this time, three of the watchmen of the 
neighborhood had reached the spot, by whose 
assistance the matron succeeded in saving most 
of the younger children. Owing to the smoke, 
neither of the men reached the third story. 
The last child saved, was handed through a 
window by one of the watchmen to another, 
who stood on the roof of the porch, and passed 
by him to some persons below; when, observing 
the stairs were on fire, they were oWiged to 
retreat. An unsuccessful attempt was made to 
reach the windows of the second story, from 
without, which failed from the want of a ladder 
of sufficient length ; and the little sufferers that 
remained in the second and third stories were 
left to their fates. From the testimony pro- 
duced before the committee of investigation, it 
was conjectured that this painful calamity 
originated from the improper arrangement of 
the masonry in the kitchen. 

ST. Joseph's orphan asylum. 

Corner of Spruce and Seventh streets. 

This is a Catholic institution, whose objects 
are in all respects similar to those of the pre- 
ceding, with this difference only, that its 
inmates consist of the children of Catholic 
parents exclusively. Its house is a handsome 
brick building, resembling an ordinary dwelling- 
house of the large kind. 



ASYLUMS. 73 



ST. JOHN S ORPHANS ASYLUM. 

Chesnut, between Twelfth and Thirteenth 
streets. 

Is established in what is generally known as 
the " Gothic mansion," which has been reno- 
vated and adapted to the purposes for which it 
is now appropriated. This, as well as the 



ORPHANS ASYLUM OF ST. MARY, 
Fifth street, near Fine, 

Is also devoted to the care and instruction of 
the children of Catholics. 

SHELTER FOR COLORED ORPHANS. 
Thirteenth street, near Willow. 

This institution, as its name implies, is 
intended for the reception and education of 
colored orphans. It was established many 
years since, by some benevolent ladies of the 
Society of Friends, who, after surmounting 
many difficulties, succeeded in erecting a suit- 
able building for the accommodation of their 
numerous dependents. The building was 
scarcely completed, when it was attacked by a 
lawless mob, and, but for the timely and ener- 
getic interference of some spirited gentlemen 
of the neighborhood, would have been entirely 
demolished. Despite all these adverse circum- 
stances, the institution has advanced with a 



74 MARINE HOSPITAL. 

steady pace, and is now quietly engaged in the 
prosecution of its laudable designs. 



NAVAL ASYLUM, OR MARINE HOSPITAL. 

Graifs Ferry Road, below South street. 

This is designed as a home for the veterans 
of the navy. It was originally projected by 
the officers, who, with the common sailors, have 
for many years contributed to a fund for the 
erection and support of the establishment. 

The edifice, composed of white marble, 
three hundred and eighty-six feet in front, con- 
sists of a centre building, one hundred and 
forty-two feet in front, and one hundred and 
seventy-five in depth, with two extensive wings. 
The centre, which is embellished by a hand- 
some portico and entablature, supported by 
eight Ionic columns, projects, both in front and 
rear, beyond the line of the wings, to which 
balconies, extending their entire length, and 
resting upon iron pillars, are affixed. The centre 
basement contains a refectory, one hundred and 
thirteen feet in length, a kitchen, and a furnace, 
by which the various apartments are warmed. 
The principal floor contains eight rooms, which 
are occupied by the keeper and his assistants ; 
a chapel in the rear, lighted from above, and 
several other apartments for the surgeons, 
apothecaries, &c. The second story is divided 
into dormitories, baths, &lc. 

The wings, which are three stories high, 
contain halls, offices, operating rooms, work- 
shops, &c. There are one hundred and eighty 
dormitories, capable of lodging about four 



DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTION. 75 

hundred persons. All the apartments are 
vaulted ; and the stairs being of marble, are 
thus rendered fire-proof. The whole is sur- 
rounded by ornamented grounds, and the front 
protected by a neat and substantial iron railing, 
resting upon a brick foundation. The entire 
cost of the establishment is about 300,000 dol- 
lars. Its site is well chosen ; and the country 
around it, from its great beauty, is calculated to 
give it an imposing appearance. 

PRESTON RETREAT. 
Hamilton street, near Schuylkill Third. 

This is a beautiful marble building, now in 
course of construction. It is designed, by its 
benevolent founder, Mr. Preston, for the recep- 
tion and accommodation of indigent widows, 
and such married women as have become des- 
titute by the neglect of their husbands. 

ASYLUM FOR LOST CHILDREN. 

Commerce street, above Fifth. 

This is a building appropriated to the recep- 
tion of lost children, to which the parents or 
guardians of such children usually repair, and 
there find the object of their search. 

PENNSYLVANIA INSTITUTION FOR THE 

DEAF AND DUMB. 

Corner of Broad and Pine streets. 

The " Deaf and Dumb Asylum," generally 
so called, was incorporated in 1821 — and is 



76 BLIND INSTITUTION. 

supported by voluntary contributions from citi- 
zens, and annual appropriations by the state 
legislature. Several of the pupils are main- 
tained by their friends, others by the states of 
New Jersey and Maryland. 

The main building-, at present occupied by 
the institution, was completed in 1825, since 
which time, extensive additions have been made 
in the rear, and the v;hoIe is now well adapted 
to the various purposes for which it was 
designed. The system of instruction pursued 
here, is similar to that of Abbe De L'Epee and 
Abbe Sicard of Paris. In addition to the cul- 
ture bestowed upon the moral and intellectual 
faculties of the pupils, they are each taught 
some mechanical trade, by which they may 
support themselves in after life. The public 
exhibitions, which take place on the afternoon 
of every Thursday, and to which access may 
be had on application to one of the managers, 
are exceedingly interesting. They develope 
fully and satisfactorily, the system by which 
the pupils are taught to communicate their 
ideas to others ; and the process by which they 
are enabled to attain an elevation in point of 
moral and intellectual improvement, truly 
astonishing. 



PENNSYLVANIA INSTITUTION FOR THE 
INSTRUCTION OF THE BLIND. 

Race street, near Schuylkill Third. 

The edifice in which the institution and its 
interesting pupils are now comfortably estab- 
lished, is built of brick, stuccoed in imitation 



BLIND INSTITUTION. 77 

of marble, and occupies a lot 247 feet on Race, 
and 220 on Third street. In front is an extensive 
esplanade, decorated with flower gardens, and 
in the rear are the play grounds of the pupils, 
who are provided with the usual appliances for 
gymnastic exercises. The plan of the building, 
which was designed and erected expressly for 
the institution, is admirably adapted to all its 
purposes. Besides the hall, which contains the 
school, exhibition, and lodging rooms, there is 
a commodious brick building, erected for the 
accommodation of the various trades in which 
the pupils are engaged, when not otherwise 
employed. 

It is to the indefatigable exertions of the late 
Julius R. Friedlander, aided by some benevo- 
lent individuals, among whom the venerable 
John Vaughan stands conspicuous, that this 
admirable charity owes its foundation ; and it 
is also indebted to the liberality of the state, 
and to the munificent bequests of William 
Young Birch, and others, for the means of its 
future support. 

By this excellent establishment, from forty to 
fifty blind children, of both sexes, are not only 
rendered happy in themselves, and useful to 
society, but are taught to execute many inge- 
nious works, with an accuracy and delicacy 
which the clear sighted can scarcely excel. 

Some are excellent musicians, others arith- 
meticians, printers, weavers, brush makers — in 
short, there is no employment beyond their 
power of attainment. All are instructed in 
reading, geography, and arithmetic: some 
write poetry and compose music; others are 
versed in geography, and its kindred sciences. 



78 WILLS S HOSPITAL. 

Their exhibitions never fail to delight the 
numerous visiters by whom Ihey are attended. 

The principal of the institution, Dr. Rhoads, 
is indefatigable in his attention to strangers, 
and takes pleasure in displaying to the curious 
all the interesting objects of his establishment. 

A public examination takes place at three 
o'clock in the afternoon, on the second Friday in 
each month. Tickets of admission may be pro- 
cured at the store of Mrs. Hobson, No. 196 
Chesnut street. 



WILLS S HOSPITAL. 

Race^ between Schuylkill Fourth and Fifth 
streets. 



Mr. James Wills, a member of the Society 
of Friends, bequeathed to the city, as trustee, 
one hundred and eight thousand dollars, for the 
purpose of erecting and supporting a place of 
refuge for the indigent lame and blind of the 
city and county of Philadelphia. 

In obedience to his injunction, the city 
authorities caused a suitable edifice to be con- 
structed in Race street ; and the establishment 
soon after went into operation. The exterior 
of the building is of a beautiful sandstone, of 
very peculiar colour, two stories high, and 
appropriately arranged within. The grounds 
are tastefully laid out, and the whole presents 
an appearance of great neatness and good 
order. 



PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL. i » 

PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL. 
Pine street, between Eighth and Ninth. 

This really admirable institution was founded 
through the instrumentality of Doctors Frank- 
lin and Bond, who, by petition from themselves 
and others, to the legislature of Pennsylvania, 
in 1750, procured a donation of ^2000, condi- 
tioned that a like sum should be raised by pri- 
vate subscription. 

These conditions were promptly complied 
with — a board of managers chosen, and a house 
hired, in which patients were received, in 1752. 
Increasing funds enabled the managers to pur- 
chase the lot on which the present edifice is 
erected. Their grounds were subsequently 
enlarged by a grant from the proprietaries, and 
in 1755, the foundation of the hospital was 
commenced. Further purchases extended the 
hospital grounds to a fraction above thirteen 
acres, which, with the elevation and magnitude 
of the buildings, environed with fine forest 
trees, gives an airy and imposing appearance 
to the whole. 

In front, and to the south of the hospital, in a 
fine area, stands a full length statue of William 
Penn, in bronzed lead. 

The hospital contains an anatomical museum, 
and a library amounting to upwards of eight 
thousand volumes. The works in this collection 
are chiefly on subjects appropriate to the insti- 
tution. 

It would exceed our limits to go into detail 
on this meritorious establishment but we quote 
9 



80 CITY HOSPITAL. 

the following from the Philadelphia edition of 
Brewster's Encyclopedia. " There is perhaps 
no other institution where more attention is 
paid to cleanliness and the general comfort of 
the sufferers. The managers are indefatiga- 
ble in their attention to the interests of the 
establishment, and the extension and increase 
of its usefulness. The medical attendants are 
men of superior abilities, and the steward, 
nurses, and care-takers, well qualified for the 
duties of their offices." 

The managers of this hospital have just 
completed an extensive and commodious house 
for the reception of their insane patients and 
residents. By this arrangement, this branch 
of the establishment will be wholly detached 
from the old one in Pine street. The new 
building is situated in Blockley township, 
between the Haverford and Westchester roads, 
about two miles west of the Market street 
bridge. 



CITY HOSPITAL. 

Corner of St. Andrev) and Schuylkill Fourth 
streets. 



This extensive building was erected by the 
board of health, for the reception of yellow 
fever patients. 

The city having for many years escaped this 
awful visitation, the building has, for the most 
part of the time, remained unoccupied, except 
by those having charge of it. It is occasionally 
used as a small-pox hospital, &c. 



DISPENSARIES. 81 

PHILADELPHIA DISPENSARY. 

Fifth street^ opposite Independence Square. 

Tliis praiseworthy institution was established 
in 17S6, with the design of affording' relief to 
the indigent sick, who receive medicine and 
advice gratuitously. 

It is supported by private contributions and 
donations from the humane. 

NORTHERN" DISPENSARY, 
37 North Front street, 

And the 

SOUTHERN DISPENSARY, 
98 SMppen street. 

Are designed for the same object, and are 
maintained by means similar to those of the 
Philadelphia Dispensary. 

ASYLUM FOR LUNATICS. 

Near the village of Frankford. 

This establishment, though five miles distant 
from Philadelphia, may be regarded as one of 
its institutions. 

It was founded in 1814, by members of the 
Society of Friends— and the buildings, which 
cost about $G0,000, were soon afler completed. 



82 GERMAN HALL. 

The asylum is under the direction of twfche 
managers. Like the Pennsylvania Hospital, 
the asylum is, in every respect, a perfect pattern 
of cleanliness and good order. Here " there is 
a place for every thing, and every thing is in 
its place." 



CHRIST CHURCH HOSPITAL. 
Cherry street, between Third and Fourth. 

Was founded by Dr. John Kearsley, for the 
relief of aged females, members of the Pro- 
testant Episcopal Church. Subsequent addi- 
tions to the funds of the institution have enabled 
the managers to erect a convenient building 
for its accommodation. 



Seventh street, between Market and Chesnut. 

This is a neat two-story brick building, the 
upper part of which is occupied by the society 
as a place of meeting, and the lower part by 
the Schuylkill Navigation Company, as an 
office. 

In addition to the benevolent institutions we 
have described, the following deserve notice : 

American Sunday School Union, 146 Chesnut 
street, whence immense quantities of books, 
&c., designed for the use of Sunday School 
teachers and scholars, are distributed in all 
directions. 



SOCIETIES. 83 

Philadelphia Bible Society— Domestic and 
Foreign Missionary Society, 158 Market street. 

Board of Missions, (Presbyterian,) 29 San- 
som street. 

Baptist Tract Society, 21 South Fourth 
street. 

Board of Education, (Presbyterian,) 29 San- 
som street. 

Philadelphia Tract Society, 13 North Seventh 
street. 

Union Benevolent Association, corner of 
Eighth and Lodge, near Chesnut street. 

Home Missionary Society, 134 Chesnut 
street. 

Pennsylvania Colonization Society, 27 San- 
som street. 

Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, 31 North 
Fifth street. 

Philadelphia City Mission, Lombard street, 
above Ninth. 

Pennsylvania Missionary Society, Market 
street. 

Missionary Society of St. James — Philadel- 
phia Education Society, 134 Chesnut street. 

Seaman's Friend Society, 121 South Second 
street. 

Seaman's Friend Society, or Girard House, 
23 North Water street. 

Foster Home, Chesnut street, near Schuylkill 
Fourth street. 

Magdalen Asylum, corner of Race and 
Schuylkill Second street. 

Clarkson Hall, 10 Cherry street. 

Franklin Free School, 430 North Third 
street. 

Fuel Saving Society, corner of Locust and 
Schuylkill Seventh streets. 



84 SOCIETIES. 

House of Industry, 7 Ranstead's court, 
Fourth street, above Chesnut. 

Infant School, No. 1, Thirteenth street, near 
Race. 

Philadelphia Institute, Filbert street, above 
Eleventh. 

St. Mary's Free School, 104 South Fifth 
street. 

Evangelical Society, for promoting Christian- 
ity among the poor in the suburbs of Phila- 
delphia. 

Young Men's Missionary Society. 

Female Missionary Society. 

Missionary Society of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. 

Common Prayer Book Society. 

Episcopal Society for the advancement of 
Christianity in Pennsylvania. 

Episcopal Female Tract Society. 

Religious Tract Society. 

Mosheim Society. 

Female Society for the Education of the 
Heathen. 

Education Society, for preparing young men 
for the Ministry. 

Philadelphia Auxiliary Colonization Society. 

Pennsylvania Peace Society. 

Pennsylvania Temperance Society. 

Young Men's Temperance Society. 

Pennsylvania Society for the promotion of 
Public Schools. 

Philadelphia Society for the establishment 
and support of Charity Schools. 

Philadelphia Auxiliary Society for amelio- 
rating the condition of the Jews, &c. 

Union Society for the instruction of poor 
female children. 



SOCIETIES. 85 

Aimwetl School Society. 

Society for the Relief and Employment of 
the Poor. 

Provident Society, for the employment of the 
poor. 

Female Society, whose objects are similar to 
those of the preceding. 

City Soup Societies. 

Humane Society, for restoring drowned 
persons. 

St. Andrew's Society, for aiding Scotchmen 
in distress. 

St. George's Society. 

Welch Society. 

Hibernian Society. 

German Society. 

The five last mentioned societies were formed 
for the relief of foreign emigrants. 

Philadelphia Society, for alleviating the 
miseries of Public Prisons. 

Pennsylvania Society, for the abolition of 
slavery in Pennsylvania, and for the improve- 
ment of the African Race. 

And about forty Masonic Lodges, under 
the direction of the Grand Lodge of Penn- 
sylvania. 

Society of " Odd Fellows," whose object and 
discipline are similar to those of other Masonic 
institutions. They have a fine hall in Fifth 
street, below Walnut. 

Franklin Fund, bequeathed by Dr. Franklin, 
for aiding young mechanics in commencing 
business. 

Scott Fund, for the same purpose. 

Bleakly Fund, for the relief of persons in the 
City Hospital. 



86 SOCIETIES. 

Carter and Petty Fund, for supplying the 
poor with bread. 

Keble Fund, for such charitably purposes as 
the clergy of the Episcopal Churches of Phila- 
delphia may determine. 

Adelphi School, for the instruction of poor 
children. 

Friends^ School, for the gratuitous education 
of the blacks. 

Ship Masters'' Society, for the relief of poor 
and distressed masters of ships, their widows 
and children. 

Pilots^ Society, similar to the above. 

Mariners^ Society, for the relief of sick mem- 
bers, and the assistance of their families. 

Stone Cutters'' Society, for the relief of poor 
and distressed stone cutters, their widows and 
children, and other purposes. 

Master Bricklayers^ Society, similar to the 
preceding. 

Philadelphia Typographical Society, for 
mutual benefit, and to regulate the prices of 
work. 

Master Taylors^ Society. 

Provident Society of House Carpenters. 

Master Mechanics'' Beneficial Society, 

Philanthropic Society, for the relief of sick 
members, and other purposes. 

Columbian Benevolent Society. 

American Beneficial Society. 

St. Tammany Benevolent Society. 

Northern Liberties Benevolent Society. 

Union Beneficial Society. 

Philadelphia Benevolent Society. 

American Friendly Institution. 

Friendly Society of Philadelphia. 



PUBLIC PRISONS. 87 

Union Society of Philadelphia. 
Independent Benevolent Society, 
Pennsylvania Benefit Society. 
Friendly Society. 
United German Benefit Society. 
German American Mutual Assistance So- 
ciety. 

Caledonian Society. 

Scotts'' Thistle Society. 

St. Patricli's Benevolent Society. 

Societe Francaise de Bienfaisance. 

Association of the Friends of Ireland. 

Croghun Benevolent Society. 

Olive Branch Society. 

Rising Star Benevolent Society. 

United States Benevolent Association. 

Warren Beneficial Society. 



PUBLIC PRISONS. 

STATE PENITENTIARY. 

Coates street, west of Broad. 

To the Philadelphia Society for Alleviating 
the Miseries of Public Prisons, belongs the 
credit of introducing- the existing Penitentiary 
System — not only in Pennsylvania, or the 
United States, but of the civilized world— so 
far as that system has been adopted. It was 
in Philadelphia that the first essay was thus 
made towards an amelioration of the sanguinary 
penal codes of Europe, which no longer dis- 
figure the jurisprudence of our state. 



88 PENITENTIARY. 

On the first introduction of this system into 
Pennsylvania, the Walnut street Prison, which 
stood immediately opposite the State House 
garden, was employed as a Penitentiary : but 
a new and greatly improved structure for such 
an estabhshment, has been erected, and is now 
fully organised in all its parts. 

It is an immense building, from a design by 
Haviland ; and in point both of magnitude and 
as a sample of the artist's skill, deserves atten- 
tion. In the general arrangement of the 
several parts, strength, convenience, and 
economy, are judiciously combined. 

The whole front externally, has the appear, 
ance of an extensive and solid edifice. 

One strong entrance in character with the 
architectural composition, is a conspicuous 
feature in the front. There is a strong station- 
ary wrought iron grating or portcullis over the 
gateway, which affords light to the entrance : 
between it and the rear gate, is sufficient room 
for a team and wagon to stand, that will admit 
of the keeper securing the front gate previous 
to the opening of the rear one. 

The watch towers command, from their 
height and position, the inside and outside of 
the external walls : their entrance is by means 
of two strong doors, hung of a sufficient dis- 
tance apart to allow of entering the outside one 
and securing it previously to opening the 
inside one. 

The exterior wall is estimated at thirty feet 
high from the level of the ground on the inside, 
and covered with an inclined coping that pro- 
jects on the inside four feet, that will frustrate 
any attempt to climb over it. This wall 
encloses an area of 650 feet square, in which 



PENITENTIARY. 89 

the cells are disposed. Every window in the 
front building is constructed with an iron grat- 
ing-, and the doors well bolted and locked, on 
the most improved plan ; and every other neces- 
sary precaution adopted to render the prison 
secure. 

By the distribution of the several blocks of 
cells, forming so many radiating lines to the 
observatory or watch house, which is equal in 
width to one of those blocks, a watchman 
can, from one point, command a view of the 
extremity of the passages of the cells, or tra- 
verse under cover unobserved by the prisoners, 
and overlook every cell : when they are exer- 
cising m their yards, the same watchman, by 
walking round a platform three feet wide, con- 
structed on the outside of this watch room, 
situated on a level with the first floor, can see 
into every yard, and detect any prisoner that 
may attempt to scale the minor walls. 

Each building contains 36 cells, 12 feet long, 
8 feet wide, and 10 feet high, with an exercis- 
ing yard to each. The partition walls between 
the cells are 18 inches in thickness, and their 
founxlation three feet deep : the wall next the 
passage is of similar thickness and depth. The 
exterior wall 2 feet 3 inches thick, and 4 feet 
below the level of the yard. In each cell there 
is a floor of masonry, 18 inches in thickness, 
on which is laid long curb-stones, 10 inches 
thick, that extend the whole width of the cells, 
and terminating under the partition wall, which 
effectually prevent escape by excavation. The 
windows are inserted in the barrelled ceiling, 
and formed by a convex reflector of eight 
inches in diameter, termed dead eyes. This 
gives ample light to the cells, from a position 



90 PENITENTIARY. 

the best for ventilation and the admission of 
light, and desirable from its being out of the 
reach of the prisoners climbing up to escape, 
or to converse from one cell to that of another. 
This glass is hung up at the apex of a cast iron 
cone that is securely fixed in the solid masonry 
of the ceiling, and is a cheap and excellent 
window. A simple bed is provided, that is 
hung against the wall, to which it is made to 
button in the day time, vi^ith the bedding 
enclosed in it, out of the way. 

The wall next the passage contains, annexed 
to each cell, a feeding drawer and peep hole. 
The drawer is of cast iron, six inches deep and 
sixteen wide, projecting of sufficient depth into 
the cell to form, when closed, a table of twelve 
inches from the surface of the wall, on the 
inside, from which the prisoner eats his meals. 
This drawer, on the back, is made with a stop^ 
that, when drawn out by the keeper in the pas- 
sage, for the purpose of depositing food or 
raiment, closes the aperture behind, and conse- 
quently prevents the prisoner seeing the super- 
intendent, or receiving by this opportunity, any 
thing but what is intended for him. 

A hollow cone of cast iron is fixed securely 
in the wall, with its apex next the passage, 
from which small aperture of one-fourth of an 
inch in diameter, you command a view of the 
cell, unobserved by the prisoner. A stopper is 
slid over this peep hole, and fixed on the out- 
side, so that no person can make use of it but 
the superintendent. The door of the entrance 
is next the yard, properly secured with the 
most approved fastenings, and provided with a 
wrought-iron grated door, in addition to a 
strongly framed wooden one ; this wooden door 



PENITENTIARY. 91 

being kept open in the summer, or when occa- 
sion may require, it permits the fresh air to 
pass into the cell, and the iron grated one 
secures the prisoner. There is also a strong 
iron door fixed on the outside wall of the exer- 
cising yards. 

A reservoir is constructed in the centre of 
the prison, under the floor of the watch house, 
arched over, of sufficient capacity for the pur- 
poses of the jail : from this basin of v^ater are 
disposed, under ground, out of reach of the frost, 
seven cast iron main pipes or sewers, say of 
eight inches diameter in the bore, one imme- 
diately placed under the centre of the passages, 
into which is connected a pipe of four inches 
diameter, from each cell, of sufficient height to 
reach sixteen inches above the floor of the cell, 
the water being introduced into those pipes, is 
by means of a ball-cock in the reservoir, regu- 
lated to a height level wilhin six inches of the 
seat or privy in the cell. By this means the 
pipe is always kept full of water, that prevents 
the prisoners from speaking through them, and 
the return of any foul air into the cell. At the 
extremity of each block of cells is fixed a sluice 
gate that stops the water, and lets it off as often 
as may be found necessary, by which means 
the filth of the pipes are effectually cleansed 
with rapidity and ease ; and by stopping, it fills 
the pipe instantaneously with a fresh supply of 
water. The dirt is carried into a common 
sewer, and conducted into the culvert of the 
adjoining street, or a well at the extremity of 
each radiating block. 

The ventilator of the cell is in the form of a 
funnel, stationed three feet over the seat of the 
privy, with a small pipe, six inches in diameter, 



92 PENITENTIARY. 

connected at its apex, through which the air 
passes from the cell through the ceiling into 
the open air. The passages are amply lighted, 
and ventilated by circular window at each end, 
four feet in diameter, and six conical windows 
in the ceilings. The arched ceilings of the 
cells and passages form a solid roof of masonry. 

The cells are heated by hot air supplied from 
two furnaces constructed in the rooms at the 
end of the buildings next to the observatory. 
By these means, the objections to the introduc 
tiori of a separate fire-place to each cell is 
removed, and less superintendence eifected with 
greater economy, security, and privacy. 

A covered way is introduced from each radi- 
ating building of the cells to the centre, for the 
convenience of superintending the prisoners, 
and conveying their food in bad weather : this 
cheap screen is covered with a shingled roof, 
and enclosed by vi^eather-boarded sides, in 
which are inserted windows, and finished with 
a floor. 

The centre building forms a cover for the 
reservoir — its basement is a general watch 
house, and the room over it is a chamber for 
the accommodation of the under-keepers and 
watchmen. At the outside of the building, on 
a level with this floor, is a platform ; a bell is 
hung in the roof for the watchmen and domes- 
tic purposes of the institution. 

The offices for cooking, washing, and other 
domestic purposes of the prison, are disposed 
in the basement of the front building. 

The rooms in which those who are to be 
employed to do the work of cooking, baking, 
&c., are in the left wing, with a yard and privy 
annexed to it for their accommodation. The 



PENITENTIARY. 



93 



rooms in the right wing are applied for those 
purposes in which female domestics are gene- 
rally employed, such as the washing, ironing, 
&c. : they "are also provided with a separate 
yard. The access to those rooms in the base- 
ment, from the entrance, is by a flight of steps 
that descend on the right, and on the left by a 
similar number of steps, you ascend to the 
rooms on both sides on the first floor, which is 
five feet above the level of the ground, and 
entrance over the bake.room, kitchen, ifec. The 
rooms in the left side are appropriated for the 
officers of the prison, such as the commission- 
ers, clerks, and turnkeys' rooms. They are of 
suitable dimensions. The rooms on the right 
side, corresponding to those on the left, are 
used for the warden and turnkeys' purposes, 
&c. ; and care has been taken to dispose con- 
veniently of such rooms, or stores, that require 
the keepers' particular superintendence. 

In the centre room, over the entrance, is the 
apothecary's room. It occupies the second 
floor of the left wing. It is the most healthy 
and airy situation — is convenient for the care 
of the warden, and has a private entrance : it 
is a distinct and separate fire-proof section, 
without any door, window, or other aperture, 
connected with the other rooms of the building, 
provided with a private stone stair-case, and 
entrance from an external door in the rear, and 
approachable only through this entrance, except 
in time of alarm, when the keeper can pass 
from his chamber, through a fire-proof door 
into the apothecary's room ; thus, in case of 
any contagious disease in the infirmary, the 
chance of infection to the residents is greatly 
diminished. 



94 COUNTY PRISON. 

COUNTY PRISON. 
Passyunk road, below Federal street. 

If it were admissible to say that the structure 
and portal of a prison were agreeable, the build- 
ing now under review deserves attention. The 
massive vaulting of the great entrances pre- 
sents a very fine specimen of Gothic architec- 
ture, and is one of the purest examples of that 
style, in this country. 

This prison serves the purpose of the old 
Arch street Prison, which, since the completion 
of the new one, has been demolished, and its 
place is now occupied by handsome dwellings. 
The County Prison is appropriated to the con- 
finement of persons accused of crimes, previous 
to trial, and others who are convicted and sen- 
tenced for short terms. That part of the house 
occupied by the prisoners, is divided into two 
extensive halls, with three tiers of cells on each 
side. The two upper tiers are approached by 
means of corridors or galleries extending the 
entire length of the halls, which are lighted 
from the roof. The cells resemble those of the 
State Penitentiary in all respects, except in the 
mode of lighting them, which is done by means 
of apertures in the side walls, instead of the 
roof. 

debtors' prison. 

Next to the County Prison. 

This really unique building is an object of 
universal attention to strangers. The style of 



HOUSE OF EEFUGE. 95 

architecture, and the colour of the material of 
which it is composed, are very peculiar. It is 
decorated with a portal, consisting of two 
huge Egyptian columns, composed of red sand- 
stone, supporting a pediment of like dimensions. 
The remainder of the front partakes of the 
general character of its entrance, and the whole 
edifice strongly reminds us of Denon's vivid 
description of tiie architectural beauties of 
ancient Egypt, in the times of the Pharoahs. 



HOUSE or CORRECTION". 
At Busk Hill 

This is used for the confinement of disorderly 
persons, and such as are charged with minor 
offences. 



HOUSE OF REFUGE. 
Corner of Coates street and Ridge road. 

This institution, founded by the benevolence 
of some citizens, is appropriated to the confine- 
ment of young delinquents, who, in addition to 
their moral culture, are taught the various 
elementary branches of an English education, 
together with the practice of some useful 
handicraft. 

By the establishment of this institution, the 
juvenile offender is effectually separated from 
those adepts in crime, with whom he was for- 
merly incarcerated ; and, from its peculiar 
organization, it obviates not only the painful 
sentence of infamy which follows a public trial 



96 HOUSE OF REFUGE. 

and conviction, but renders such trial and con- 
viction unnecessary. But the inquiry which 
precedes admission here, is not necessarily into 
the guilt or innocence of the subject, -wiih a 
view to punishment. Such inquiry may be 
made ; and the law provides for the reception 
of children who have been thus exposed to it, 
in the regular and accustomed form. Convic- 
tion is one of the circumstances which will 
justify admission here ; and there is no other 
mode in which conviction can take place, 
except by jury. One class of subjects, there- 
fore, is formed by those who have been regu- 
larly tried and condemned. A much larger 
class happily finds a shelter here, where the 
inquiry has been directed mainly to the crim- 
inal tendency and manifestations of their con- 
dition — to their means of support — to the 
protection and guidance they receive from their 
natural friends. 

If adequate securities against guilt are 
wanting, and they must in all probability 
become criminal as well as wretched, they are 
entitled to a place within these walls, even 
though they may not have committed specific 
crimes. The imputation of a crime is not a 
necessary passport to admission. If it has been 
committed, it furnishes strong evidence of the 
absence and necessity of proper guardianship, 
since it would not have taken place, if neither 
necessity nor bad example had been the induce- 
ment. But it is only in this respect that the 
crime is adverted to. A child is not the less 
wretched, because guilty. Its wretchedness 
alone gives it a just title to reception. The 
addition of criminality does not take away its 
claims. Almost every child that steals, is a 



HOUSE OF REFUGE. 97 

vagrant as well as a thief: for theft is the result 
of a want of honest occupation and support; 
and a want of honest means of subsistence, is 
vagrancy. When a commitment, therefore, is 
made by a magistrate, it is not simply or even 
necessarily because of a crime, but because of 
the want and bereavement, of which crime is 
both the proof and the consequence. It would 
be equally cruel and unnecessary to subject to 
trial and conviction, and thus to lasting infamy, 
when the requisitions of the law are fulfilled 
without them, and the child is instructed, cher- 
ished, saved, without exposing it to the melan- 
choly satisfaction of knowing that there are 
two motives for its restraint, when one is suffi- 
cient. 

The system is introduced for the purpose of 
preventing punishment. It humanely ascribes 
the errors of early youth, to the unconscious 
imitation of evil examples, to accident, to the 
disregard of parents, to any thing rather than 
moral guilt. It therefore treats tliem as defi- 
ciencies of education, and provides means bj 
which those deficiencies may be supplied. If 
the parent or the natural friend will show that 
there are no such deficiencies, or that proofs 
are wanting to substantiate them, the discipline 
of the house is at once withheld for other 
objects. 

The house is supported by funds received 
from the association, by annual donations from 
the state and county, and by individual dona- 
tions and bequests. It is governed by one 
president, two vice presidents, and board of 
twenty managers, who are assisted in the per- 
formance of their duties by a committee of 
twelve ladies. The domestic establishment 
I 



98 PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

consist of a superintendent, matron, teacher, 
two physicians, and such attendants as may be 
deemed necessary. The managers report their 
transactions annually to the association. The 
inmates now manufacture shoes, wearing appa- 
rel, baskets, book covers, bed ticks, quilts, stock- 
ings, shirts, &c., &c. On the expiration of the 
term of confinement, the boys are apprenticed 
to respectable mechanics or farmers, and the 
girls to families, by whom they are taught to 
perform the customary duties of domestics. 

The building is erected on a lot of ground 
four hundred feet in front, on Coates street, and 
two hundred and thirty-one in depth — enclosed 
by a stone wall, two feet thick, and twenty -two 
feet high. The main building, ninety-two feet 
in length, fronts the north, and is occupied by 
the superintendent, managers' rooms, library, 
&c. The wings contain the dormitories, &c. 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL. 
Jumper street, opposite S. E. Penn square. 

The building in which this school is estab- 
lished, is in the immediate vicinity of the 
United States mint. Its dimensions are sixty 
by forty feet and three stories high, with a 
marble front and handsome Ionic portico. The 
interior arrangements and apparatus are pecu- 
liarly fitted for the uses to which they are 



CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL. 99 

applied. They include a well stored library, 
philosophical instruments, mineralogical cabi- 
net; and in the upper apartments, an astrono- 
mical observatory has been erected, for which 
the requisite apparatus and furniture are pre- 
paring-. In this institution, which was opened 
on the 22nd of October, 1838, are taught an- 
cient and modern languages, belle lettres, 
mathematics and natural science. None but 
pupils who shall have attended the primary 
pubhc schools, for a period of at least six 
months, are admitted into the high school ; 
an arbitrary prohibition, which if not speedily 
removed, may ultimately lead to the failure of 
the establishment. Any restriction but such as 
may be imposed by a want of j accommodation, 
is, we think, inconsistent with the spirit of our 
school laws, and in direct hostility to the bene- 
volent intentions of their framers. 

In addition to the high school, there are dis- 
tributed throughout the city and . districts, 
several primary schools, which like the former 
are supported at public expense. In these 
schools, the usual elementary branches of a 
good English education are taught. They are 
situated as follows: — in Ashton street above 
Lombard ; in New Market street above Noble ; 
in Eleventh street corner of Buttonwood ; in 
Chester street corner of Maple ; in Race street 
above Broad; in Eighth corner of Fitzwater; 
in Second street corner of Masters ; in Cath- 
erine street above Third ; and at No. 432 North 
Third street. 



100 CEMETERIES. 



CEMETERIES. 



LAUREL HILL CEMETERY. 

Ridge Road, three miles N. W. of the city. 

This celebrated burial place was originally 
the country seat of one of the opulent citizens 
of Philadelphia. It was afterwards occupied 
by numerous tenants as a public g'arden, col- 
lege, &,c., when in 1836 it was finally pur- 
chased by some gentlemen of the city who 
formed themselves into a joint stock company, 
and laid it out as a public cemetery, having 
first obtained an act of incorporation. The 
cemetery of Laurel Hill is situated on the east 
bank of the Schuylkill at a mean elevation of 
eighty or ninety feet above the river. Its sur- 
face is exceedingly undulating, beautifully di- 
versified by hill and dale, and enriched by a 
vast number of forest and ornamental trees : 
the whole presenting a coup d'ceil, at once im- 
pressive and grand in a high degree. It is the 
most extensive cemetery in the vicinity of Phil- 
adelphia, having a front on the Ridge road, of 
two hundred and nineteen feet and extending 
from that road to the river bank, with an area 
of about twenty acres. The irregularity of the 
ground renders it extremely picturesque, and 
its beauty is still farther enhanced by the varied 
foliage of its numerous trees and shrubs shading 
tombs of every form. Few situations com- 
mand so extensive and diversified a prospect. 
On the west is seen the beautiful Schuvlkill 



LAUREL HILL CEMETERY. 101 

reflecting the high and craggy hills of the op» 
posite bank ; on the south through a long vista 
of overhanging foliage, we view the Columbia 
viaduct and inclined plane; on the north the 
falls of Schuylkill and the crossing of the Read- 
ing Rail- road. In every view, nature seems to 
have pointed out this enchanting spot, with sig- 
nificant energy, as the appropriate mansion for 
the dead. In and around it are all the varied 
features of her beauty and grandeur; the forest 
crowned height, the abrupt acclivity, the shel- 
tered valley, the deep glen, the grassy glade 
and the silent grave, all combining to heighten 
the melancholy beauties of the scene. 

The first object that presents itself to the 
visiter on entering the gate is the admirable 
specimen of statuary of " Old Mortality," exe- 
cuted in sand-stone by Thom, a self taught 
artist. Many of the tombs are distinguished 
for their great beauty and simplicity. 

At the entrance is an open space between 
two avenues, on one side of which is the house 
of the keeper and the porter's lodge. The 
chapel, a beautiful Gothic building, illuminated 
by an immense window of variegated glass, is 
situated on the high ground to the right of the 
entrance, and the other structures erected for 
the accommodation of visiters and others are 
judiciously disposed according to the original 
plan. The ground is laid out with gravelled 
walks and divided in lots of various dimen- 
sions, arranged at suitable distances, along the 
winding passages. These are appropriated as 
family burial places, with the perpetual right 
to purchasers of inclosing, decorating and 
using them for that purpose. Strangers are 
permitted to view the ground on application at 



102 MONUMENT CEMETERY. 

the gate or by producing a ticket from one of 
the managers by which they can enter the 
enclosure with their carriaffes. 



MONUMENT CEMETERY. 
Broad street, near Turner's Lane. 

This is situated in the northern suburbs of 
Philadelphia, about two miles beyond the city 
limits. Its general arrangements, with the ex- 
ception of some modifications in the courses of 
the avenues, are similar to those of Laurel Hill, 
and with regard to the mode of obtaining lots, 
and the tenure by which they are held, there is 
no difference between them. The site of Mon- 
ument Cemetery consists of an almost unbroken 
plane, whose surface is slightly inclined towards 
the south. Though possessing but kw of the 
romantic characteristics of Laurel Hill, the 
Monument Cemetery possesses beauties peculiar 
to itself, and to some eyes, equal to those of the 
former. It was opened in 1838, and now con- 
tains a considerable number of tombs, some 
very chaste, with appropriate inscriptions. The 
whole ground is encompassed by a neat pale 
fence, with an iron gate in front supported by 
two marble pillars. Owing to a depression in 
Broad street fronting the cemetery, occasioned 
by a new regulation of that street, the ground 
is now elevated some eight or ten feet above 
the road, and is supported by a massive retain, 
ing wall, which contributes greatly to improve 
the appearance of this beautiful and attractive 
spot. 



ronaldson's cemetery. 103 

ronaldson's cemetery. 

ShippeUj between Ninth and Tenth streets. 

The square which now forms this beautiful 
cemetery, originally belonged to Mr. James 
Ronaldson, by whom it was parcelled off into 
lots and disposed of for the purposes of inter- 
ment. The numerous avenues which intersect 
each other at right angles, generally bound the 
burial plots on two sides and thus afford conva- 
nient access to every part of the ground. As 
this cemetery was opened long anterior to 
Laurel Hill and Monument cemetery, it con- 
tains a large number of splendid tombs and 
cenotaphs adorned on all sides by flowers of 
every hue, whose fragrance and beauty, with 
the plaintive shade of the surrounding foliage, 
render it an object of peculiar though mournful 
attention. 

There are several other cemeteries now in 
use, and arrangements are in progress for open- 
ing others on similar plans. Among the former 
are — Macphela Cemetery, in Prime street near 
Tenth; Philanthropic Cemetery, in Passyunk 
road, below the county prison : and among the 
latter are Franklin and Woodland Cemetaries. 



104 MISCELLANEOUS INSTITUTIONS. 



MISCELLANEOUS INSTITUTIONS. 

NAVY YARD. 

Feont below Prime street. 

The Philadelphia Navy Yard was established 
several years since under a special act of Con- 
gress. It contains within its limits about four- 
teen acres of land and is surrounded on its 
north, west and south sides by high and sub- 
stantial brick walls ; the east side fronts on and 
is open to the river Delaware. Its entrance 
from Front street is by a double gateway. In- 
side the enclosure are the necessary buildings, 
consisting of two immense " ship houses," 
mariner's barracks and officers' dwelhngs. 
The largest ship-house, in which the great ship 
Pennsylvania was constructed, is two hundred 
seventy-three feet long, one hundred and four 
wide and eighty-four high. 

MASONIC HALL. 
Chesnut street, between Seventh and Eighth. 

This spacious and elegant Gothic structure, 
is now the property of the Franklin Institute. 
It was built originally for the Grand Lodge of 
Pennsylvania, and used for many years as a 
place of meeting for that and several other 
masonic societies. The lower saloon, one of 
the most beautiful rooms in the city, is in 
almost constant requisition for exhibitions of 



ASSEMBLY BUILDINGS. 105 

all sorts, balls, fairs, rausical entertainments, 
(fee, (fee. 



MASONIC HALL. 

Third street^ below Walnut. 

This is a neat and commodious building, 
erected within a few years, and now occupied 
bj the Masonic lodges, for their meetings, &c. 

ODD TELLOWS' HALL. 

Fijih street^ below Walnut. 

The Philadelphia fraternity of " Odd Fel- 
lows," so called, is very considerable, both in 
number and character, being found in all quar- 
ters of the city, and consisting of persons of 
nearly every rank in society. " Secrecy'^ being 
the watchword of these odd fellows, as well as 
of their no less odd brethren the masons, we 
can say nothing with regard to their objects, 
and domestic arrangements. Their hall is a 
handsome structure, both within and without, 
so far as we have been permitted to examine 
the former. 

ASSEMBLY BUILDINGS. 

Corner of Tenth and Chesnut streets. 

This is one of the most extensive buildings 
of its class, in the city. Its length, on Tenth 
street, is two hundred and forty-five feet— its 



106 



ATHENIAN BUILDINGS. 



width, on Chesnut street, is about thirty — four 
stories high, and built of brick, and stuccoed in 
imitation of granite. The ground floor is 
divided into stores ; and the first floor, which 
is attained by a circular stairway of easy 
ascent, is occupied in its entire extent, by a 
beautiful saloon, so constructed as to admit of 
partition, by means of immense folding doors. 
The furniture and decorations of the saloon 
are on a scale corresponding with the style and 
magnitude of the building; and tlje whole 
establishment deserves the attention of stran- 
gers. The saloon, like that of the Masonic 
Hall, is used for many temporary purposes — 
such as concerts, exhibitions, balls, and the 
like. 



UNION BUILDINGS. 

Corner of Eighth and Chesnut streets. 

Are similar in form and uses to the Assembly 
Buildings. 

ATHENIAN BUILDINGS. 

Franklin Place, Chesnut street, between Third 
and Fourth. 

This structure is no way remarkable, except 
in point of size, and the purposes to which it is 
applied. One part of it is occupied as a public 
house, refectory, «&c. ; and the other is appro- 
priated to political and other assemblies. 



shot tower. 107 

bricklayers' hall. 

Corner of T.iirieenth and Race streets. 

Is a handsome structure, erected for the 
accommodation of the Bricklayers' Society. 

CARPEJfTERS' HALL. 
Corner of Thirteenth and Race streets. 

Where also the Carpenters' Society hold their 
meetings, and regulate the prices of work, 

beck's shot tower. 

Cherry and Schuylkill Second streets. 

Was erected about thirty years since, by Mr. 
Paul Beck, who continued the manufacture of 
shot for a long time ; but, owing to the want of 
adequate protection from the government, he 
discontinued the business, the prosecution of 
which was attended by heavy losses. The 
building forms a striking object in the western 
part of the city, and serves as a land-mark to 
passengers. A splendid view of the city and 
surrounding country may be had from its sum- 
mit, which is one hundred and sixty-four feet 
above the ground. It forms a square, whose 
sides are each thirty-three feet at the base, and 
twenty -two at the top. 



108 arsenals. 

spark's shot tower. 

Carpenter street, between Front and Secona. 

This is a circular spire-like column, thirty 
feet in diameter at its base, fifteen at the sum- 
mit, and about one hundred and forty feet in 
height. Like Beck's Tower, and the State 
House steeple, Spark's Tower affords a fine 
view of the adjacent country. 

PENNSYLVANIA STATE ARSENAL. 
Juniper street, opposite S. W. Penn Square. 

Sometimes called the State Armory — is the 
depository for the ordnance, arms, &:c., belong. 
ing to the state. The building is of the ordi- 
nary description ; being adapted to the purposes 
for which it was erected, without any attempt 
at embellishment. 

UNITED STATES ARSENAL. 
Gray's Ferry road. 

The ground occupied by this establishment 
is bounded by Gray's Ferry road, Sutherland 
avenue, Paynter and Petty streets. It consists 
of three principal, and some minor buildings j 
and the whole are enclosed by a solid brick 
wall. 



BATH HOUSES. 



109 



CITY TOBACCO WAREHOUSE. 

4t the intersection of Dock and Front streets. 

This is an immense structure, erected by the 
city authorities, for the accommodation of the 
tobacco trade. The city branch of the Colum- 
bia railroad terminates here, and communicates 
with the shipping of the Delaware^ 

swaim's bath house. 

Seventh street^ below Chesnui. 
This is the most extensive and complete 
bathing establishment in the city. It is pro- 
vidcd with every suitable accommodation, and 
is in all respects deserving of the liberal patron- 
age which it has received since its foundation, 
in 1829. 

BATH HOUSE. 

Fromberger^s court, Second street, above Arch. 

This is a well conducted establishment. It 
accommodates the citizens of the north-eastern* 
as Swaim's does the middle and south-western 
parts of the city. 

HARMER's BATH HOUSE. 
Third street, near ArcL 

PHILADELPHIA GAS WORKS, 
Schuylkill Front and Filbert streets. 
Scarcely a more striking picture of change, 
aecompanied with immense improvement, caa 



110 GAS WORKS. 

be presented to the imagination, than that of 
the general substitution of gas in the streets 
and shops of the city, in place of the oil lamps 
of former times. Atnong- the gas establish- 
ments, the city works claim the first notice, 
being the first erected in the city. They pre- 
sent a very remarkable appearance — the gas- 
ometers, like immense inverted cauldrons, first 
attract attention, and lead to farther investi- 
gation. 

The gas meter, the retort, and purifying 
apartments, the pipes of conduit, and other 
apparatus, and the buildings themselves, deserve 
the e pecial attention of visiters. 



NORTHERN LIBERTIES GAS WORKS. 

Maiden street, below Front. 

These M^orks supply the Northern Liberties, 
Kensington, &c., with gas. Their structure 
arid management are similar to those of the 
city. 



MARKET HOUSES, 

Are established in Market street from the 
Delaware to Eighth street. In Market street 
from Schuylkill Seventh to Schuylkill Eighth 
street. In Callowhill street from Fourth to 
Seventh street. In Spring Garden from Mar- 
shall to Ninth street. In North Second from 
Coates street to Poplar Lane. In South Second 
street from Pine to South street. In Moyamen- 



HOTELS. Ill 

sing road from Prime to Washington street. 
In Sbippen from Third street to Passyunk 
road. In Eleventh street from Shippen to Fitz- 
water street. Corner Callowhill and Now 
Market streets. 



HOTELS. 

Albion House, corner of Seventh and Chesnut 

Arch street House, corner of Arch and North 
Wharves. 

Black Bear Inn, South Fifth near High. 
Broad Street House, N. E. corner Broad and 
Vine. 

Bull's Head, 235 North Third. 
City Hotel, North Third, near Malterry. 
Commercial Hotel, 31 Chesnut. 
Congress Hall, 27 South Third, and 83 Ches- 
nut. 

Golden Swan, North Third above Mulberry. 

Indian Queen, South Fourth near High. 

Madison House, 39 North Second. 

Mansion House, South Third below Walnut. 

Marshall House, Chesnut near Seventh. 

Morris House, Chesnut below Eighth. 

Merchant's Hotel, North Fourth above High. 

Philadelphia Hotel, North Second above Mul- 
berry. 

Red Lion Hotel, 200 High. 

Robinson Crusoe, South Third near Chesnut. 

Second Street ilouse, 42 North Second. 

Third Street Hall, corner of North Third and 
Willow. 

Treraont House, 116 Chesnut. 



112 EAILROADS. 

Union Hotel, Chesnut street, below Seventh. 

United States Hotel, Chesnut street, above 
Fourth. 

Washington House, 223 Chesnut street. 

Western Exchange, High street, west of 
Penn Square. 

Western Hotel, 288 High street. 

White Swan, 308 Race street. 



RAILROADS FROM PHILADELPHIA. 



Camden and Amboy Railroad. 

Leaves Chesnut street wharf by the steam- 
boat New Philadelphia, for Bordentown, by cars 
to South Amboy, and by the steamboat Inde- 
pendence to New-York, stopping at Burlington, 
Bristol, Spottswood, and Amboy. Fare to New 
York, $3 00, deck passengers $3 25 ; and the 
intermediate places between here and Trenton, 
the same as in other lines. 

Railroad Line to Trenton. 

Leaves Walnut street wharf at half past two 
p. M,, daily, by steamboat to Carnden, N. J., and 
by cars to Trenton. Fare to Trenton, Burling- 
ton, and Bristol, 25 cents. 

Railroad Line to New York. 

Starts from the depot, corner of Third and 
Willow streets, at nine a. m., and five p. m., and 



RAILROADS. 



113 



reaches New York in time to connect with the 
northern and eastern boats. Fare, $4. 

Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Rail 
road — new arrangements. 

There are two daily lines to Baltimore and 
Washington city, at one a. m., and half past 
three r. M., connectinsj with the morning and 
evening lines from New York, carrying the 
U. S. great southern mail, will leave for the 
purpose of connecting them with the Market 
street depot, No. 368 Market street, below 
Eleventh street, daily, at one a. m., and half 
past three r. m., and will arrive in Baltmiore m 
time to connect with the morning mail Imes 
from that city for the south and west. Passen- 
gers leaving New York at five p. M., evening 
train, desirous of proceeding south and west, 
can avail themselves of this line ; and at half 
past three p. m., a train of cars leave the same 
depot daily for Baltimore, where they arrive 
early in the evening. Fare from this city to 
Baltimore, $4. , , v c -^ a 

This route forms an unbroken line ot railroad 
conveyance from New- York to Washington 
city, and no delay occurs from the time they 
leave New York to Washington city, except 
the time taken for meals, &c. 

Two Daily Accommodation Trains to Wil- 
mington, Del. 

At eight A. M,, and half past three p. M., (ex- 
cept Sunday,) stopping at the Lazaretto, Chester, 
Marcus Hook, Naaman's Creek, and Quarry- 
ville. For the accommodation of passengers 



114 RAILROADS. 

in the eastern part of the city, a car is kept 
running in connection with this line from the 
Exchange, at three p. m,, for the purpose of 
conveying them to the depot, 368 Market 
street. 

Gray's Ferry Railroad. 

The pleasure cars of the company leave 
the Exchange for the new viaduct over the 
river Schuylkill, and the ferry, every afternoon 
(except Sunday) at a quarter before two o'clock 
p, M., and a quarter past three, and four p. m. : 
returning, leaves the ferry at quarter past two 
p. M., and six and seven p. m. 

Philadelphia and Reading Railroad. 

Starts from Philadelphia at five o'clock a. m., 
and quarter past two p. m., daily, for Reading, 
and from Reading at half past seven a. m., and 
half past two r. m. Depot in this city, corner 
of Broad and Cherry streets. Breakfast at 
Pottstown. The afternoon train for Reading, 
and morning train for Philadelphia, will be 
accompanied by a ladies' car. Both trains will 
stop for way passengers at the usual points. 
Days of starting freight trains from Philadcl- 
phia, on Wednesday and Saturday — from Read- 
ing, Tuesday and Friday. 

Railroad to West Chester^ Columbia., Harris- 
burg, Sfc, 

There are several lines to those places, which 
leave the depots in Market and Broad streets, 
every two or three hours during the day. 



STEAMBOATS. 115 

Philadelphia, Germaniown, and Norristown 
Railroad. 

Cars leave the depot, corner of Green and 
Ninth streets, at frequent intervals during the 
day. 



PHILADELPHIA STEAMBOATS, 



Steamboats from Philadelphia. The Regular 
Lines np the River. 

The steamboat New Philadelphia, Captain 
D. S. Craven, leaves Chesnut street what f every 
day, (Sundays excepted,) at 7 a. m., for Borden- 
town, and the passengers by cars to South 
Amboy, and by steamboat Independence, Cap- 
tain A. H. Schultz, for New York — touch at 
Burlington, Bristol, &c. Fare to New York, 
83 00 ; forward deck passengers, $2 25. 

The steamboat Burlington, Captain P. H. 
Kester, leaves Chesnut street wharf at a quar- 
ter before two o'clock, p. m., every other day, 
(Sunday excepted,) for Burlington, Bristol, Bor- 
dentown, and Trenton. Fare to Trenton, fifty 
cents; to the other places, twelve and a half 
cents. Returning next morning, leaves Bor- 
dentown at six o'clock. 

The steamboat Hornet, Captain Davidson, 
leaves the first wharf above Arch street, on 
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, at two 
p. M., for Trenton, stopping at Burlington, Bris- 
tol, White Hill, and Bordentown. Fare, each 



116 STEAMBOATS. 

way, twenty.five cents, and twelve and a half 
cents to either of the intermediate places. 
Brcakfist twenty.five cents, dinner thirty -seven 
and a half cents. 



Regular Lines down the River. 

The steamboat Robert Morris, Captain J. M. 
Douglass, leaves Dock street wharf every morn- 
ing at half past six o'clock, (Sunday excepted,) 
for New Castle ; fiom thence the passengers 
take the railroad to Frenchtown, and then take 
the steamboat Constitution, or Washington, 
and arrive in Baltimore one or two hours pre- 
vious to the departure of the Washington cars, 
or the afternoon lines for the south and west. 
Fare, four dollars, to and from Baltimore. 
Breakfast and dinner, fifty cents. 

The steamboat Telegraph, Captain W. Whil- 
din, jr., leaves Race street wharf, for Wilming- 
ton, Delaware, daily, at three o'clock p. m., and 
Wilmington at six a. m., for Philadelphia, 
touching at Marcus Hook and Chester. Fare 
to Wilmington, fifty cents; to Marcus Hook, 
thirty-seven and a half cents; to Chester, 
twenty.five cents. 

The steamboat Clifton, Captain George Boon, 
leaves Race street wharf every other day at ten 
A. M., (Sunday excepted,) for Salem, New Jer- 
sey ; touching at Chester, Marcus Hook,Pcnn'a 
Grove, New Castle, and Delaware City. Re- 
turning, leaves Salem at eight A. M. Breakfast 
provided on board. 

The steamboat Pioneer, Captain Bilderback, 
leaves Arch street wharf every other day, 
(Sunday excepted,) at two p. m., for Salem, New 



STEAMBOATS. 117 

Jersey; stopping at Chester, Marcus Hook, 
Penn's Grove, New Castle, and Delaware City. 
Returning, leaves Salem at seven a. m. Dinner 
and supper provided on board. 

The steamboat Kent, Captain Richard Ross, 
leaves Arch street wharf, for Smyrna, Dela- 
ware, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, at 
ten o'clock a. m., touching at Chester, Marcus 
Hook, Penn's Grove, Newcastle, and Delaware 
City. Fare to the landing on Duck creek, one 
dollar and fifty cents; to Smyrna, one dollar 
and seventy-five cents. Colored persons on the 
forward deck, one dollar. Breakfast and din- 
ner provided on board. 

The steam tow-boat Delaware, Captain W. 
Schellinger, is always in readiness, and con- 
tinues to tow shipping up and down the river, 
to sea, and has been pretty constantly employed 
during the winter, and since the opening of the 
navigation. The City Ice-boat is laid up, and 
the Pennsylvania wants repairing. These boats 
are now the property of the city, and under the 
control of council. 

During the bathing season, two boats start 
to Cape May, running on alternate days, thereby 
having a boat daily, except Sunday. The Ohio 
and Telegraph now run to the Capes. 

The steamboat Salem is prepared for any 
description of towing, either on the Schuylkill 
or the Delaware. 

The steamboat Philadelphia, and the little 
iron steamer, are towing canal barges on the 
Delaware, and up the Schuylkill. 

The steamboat Bolivar, after being repaired, 
will take her place on the Wilmington line. 

All the ferry rates to Camden, New Jersey, 
have been reduced. Passengers now pay but 



118 STEAMBOATS. 

two cents, and carriages six and a quarter — 
except South street ferry to Kaighn's Point, 
where they charge the regular fare. A boat 
runs daily to Gloucester and Greenwich Points. 
Fare, six and a quarter cents. 



ROUTES PROM PHILADELPHIA. 119 



ROUTES FROM PHILADELPHIA. 





To Pittsburg. 






'Fair Mount, 


1 




Viaduct over the Schuylkil], 


2 3 




Buck Tavern, 


8 11 




Spread Eagle, 


5 16 




Poali, 


5 21 




Warren 


1 22 


_: 


Valley Creek, 


7 29 


1 


Dovvningtown, 


3 32 




Coatesville, . 


8 40 


"S 


Gap Tavern, 


11 51 


« 


Mine Ridge, 


1 52 




Mill Creek, . 


5 57 




Soudersburg, 


3 60 




Lancaster, . 


9 69 




Mt. Pleasant, 


8 77 




^Columbia, 


5 82 


York, by rail-road, 


11 93 




'Abbotstown, 


15 108 




Gettysburg, 


14 122 




Chambersburg, 


25 147 


. 


M'Connelstovvn, 


19 166 


§0 


, Bedford, 


31 197 


Shellsburg, . 


9 206 




Stoystow^n, . 


19 225 




Laughlinlown, 


16 241 




Greensburg, 


23 264 




.Pittsburg. . 


32 296 



120 



ROUTES, 4CC. 



To Pittsburg, via Harrisburg. 

C Lancaster, 

Mountjoy, 
I Middletown, 
j Harrisburg 
^ Carlisle, 

Stough's T. . 

Shippensburg, 
l^Chambersburg, 

Pittsburg, as above, by stage. 



69 

12 81 
51 96 

9 105 
18 123 

13 136 
7 143 

U 154 
147 301 



To Pittsburg, by Pennsylvania Rail Road and 
Canal. 



Columbia, as above, . 


82 




^Marietta, . 


3 85 




Bainbridge, 


6 91 




Falmouth, 


4 95 




Middletown, . 


4 99 




Highspire, 


3 102 




Harrisburg, 


6 108 




Blue Mt. Gap, . 


5 113 




Port Dauphin, . 


3 116 




Duncan's Isl., . 


9 125 




Nevi'port, 


. 10 135 


'3 


Thompsontovs^n, 


11 146 


§ "^ 


Mexico, 


7 153 


O 


Mifflintown, . 


4 157 




Lewistown, 


. 14 171 




Waynesburg, . 


14 185 




Aughwick Falls, 


. 12 197 




Huntingdon, . 


17 214 




Petersburg, 


7 221 




Alexandria, 


. 7 228 




Williamsburg, . 


. 12 240 




Frankstovvn, . 


. 10 250 




. Hollidaysburg, . 


3 253 





ROUTES, &C 


. 


121 


Joh 


istown by R. R., . 
'Laurel Hill, 




37 290 

7 297 




Lock port, 
Chesnut Hill, . 




10 307 
5 312 




Blairsville, 




8 320 


i 


Salzburg, 
Warrentown, 




16 336 

12 348 


Leechburg, 
Alleghany Aqueduct, 
Logan's Ferry, . 
, Pittsburg, 




10 358 

3 361 

. 15 376 

18 394 


To Erie, Pa, by Stage, via Reading. 




'Manayunk, 
Norristown, 




7 
. 9 16 


■xj 


Trap, 
Pottstovvn, 




. 9 25 
. 10 35 


■J5 


Warrensburg, 
Exetertown, 




. 5 40 
. 5 45 


I 
C 
f 


[Reading, 
lamburg, 
)rwigsburg, 
'ottsville. 




. 7 52 
. 15 67 
. 11 78 

. 8 86 


Sunbury, 
New Berlin, 




. 36 122 
. 11 133 


Milheim, 




. 25 158 


Bellefbnte, 




. 21 179 


Phillipsburg-, 
Curwinville, 




, 27 206 
. 19 225 


Brookville, 




. 37 262 


Shippensville, 
Franklin, 




. 27 289 
. 18 307 


Meadville, 




. 25 332 


Waterford, 




. 23 355 


I 


>ie, 






. 16 370 



122 ROUTE&, &C. 




To Pottsville by Schuylkill Canal. 


Manayunk, 


7 


Flat Rock, 




1 8 


Spring Mills, 




3 11 


Norristown, 




5 16 


Phenixville, 




12 28 


Pottstown, 




15 43 


Unionville, 




3 46 


Birdsboro, 




6 52 


Reading, 




12 64 


Hamburg, 




23 87 


Port Clinton, 




4 91 


Tunnel, 




7 98 


Schuylkill Haven, . 




3 101 


Mount Carbon, 




4 105 


Pottsville, 




1 106 


Port Carbon, 




2 108 


To Bethlehem, Pa. by Stag 


'6. 


Sunville, 




3 


Germantown, 




. 3 6 


Flowertown, 




. 5 11 


Spring, 




6 17 


Montgomery, 




4 21 


Lexington, 




4 25 


Sellersville, , 




. 7 32 


Quakertown, 




5 37 


Fryburg, i 




6 43 


Bethlehem, 


8 51 


To Easton, by Stage. 




Shoemakertovi^n, 


9 


Jenkintown, 


• 


1 10 





KOUTES, &C. 


12a 


Abington, , 




1 11 


Willowgrove, 




2 13 


Newville, 




7 20 


Doylestown, 




4 24 


Ottsville, 




. 15 39 


Easton, 




. 17 56 



To New York by Steam-boat and Rail-road. 



Bordentown by S. Boat, 


30 


Hightstovvn, by R. Road, . . 13 43 


Spotswood, ... . 13 56 


South Amboy, ... . 9 64 


Perth Amboy, by S. Boat, . . 2 66 


JSewYork, ... . 25 91 


To New York by Rail-road, via Trenton. 


Frankford, .... 5 


Bristol, 15 20 


Trenton, 10 30 


New Brunswick, . . . . 27 57 


Newark, . . . . 20 77 


New York, .... 10 87 


To Baltimore by Steam-boat and Rail-road. 


. 


p Fort Mifflin, ... 8 


■4^ 


Lazaretto, 


5 13 


-? 


Chester, 


5 18 


|- 


Marcus Hook, 


4 22 


1 


Christiana Creek, 


8 30 


CO 


New Castle, 


5 35 


Frenchtown, by R. Road, 


16 51 


Bal 


timore, by S. Boat, 


69 120 



124 



ROUTES, &;c. 



To Baltimore by Rail-road. 



Wilmington R. Road, 


1 


Gray's Ferry viadact, 
Chester, 


4 5 

9 14 


Marcus Hook Road, 


4 18 


Wilmington, 


9 27 


Newport, 


4 31 


Newark Road, 


8 39 


Elkton, 


6 45 


Northeast, 


6 51 


Charleston, 


3 54 


Havre De Grace, 


6 60 


Bush River, 


12 72 


Gunpowder R. 
Back River, 


7 79 
11 90 


Depot, 
Baltimore P. 0. 


4 94 
1 95 


To Cape May by Steam-boat. 


Delaware City, 


41 


Reedy Island, 
Alia ways Creek, 
Bombay Hook, 
Egg- Island, 


5 46 

5 51 

12 63 

17 80 


Light House, May, 
Cape Island, 


20 100 
2 102 



To Cape May by Stage 

Woodbury, 
Jonesboro, 
Malaga, 
Millville, 
Port Elizabeth, 



9 

10 19 

10 29 

13 42 

6 48 



ROUTES, &C. 


125 


Dennis Creek, 


14 62 


Goshen, . ... 


4 66 


Cape May, C. H. ... 


4 70 


Cold Spring, , ... 


9 79 


Cape Island, . ... 


2 81 


To TucJcerton, N. Jersey, by Stage. 


Pensauken Creek, 


9 


Hampton F. . . . 


17 26 


Washington, 


9 35 


Tuckerton, 


14 49 


To Long Branch. 




Bordentown, by S. Boat, . 


30 


Allentown, by Stage, 


7 37 


Monmouth, " 


18 55 


Eaton, 


10 €5 


Long Branch, " 


4 69 



ENVIRONS 

OF 

PHILADELPHIA 



The most remarkable places, only, in the vicinity 
of Philadelphia, are noticed in the following pages, 
as a description of every insignificant point would 
far exceed the limits of this work. To most of the 
towns and villages in the environs, there are regu- 
lar conveyances either by railroad, steamboat, or 
stage. For places to which thee is no such con- 
veyance, the best plan is to take a hack, which can 
bo readily procured in any of the business parts of 
the city or Camden. 

TOWNS, &C., SITUATED NORTH OF THE 
CITY. 

Richmond. — This is a new town, on the bank 
of the Delaware, at the eastern terminus of the 
Reading railroad, distant three miles from the 
city. It is eligibly situated for trade, and will 
no doubt become an important place, when the 
railroad, now in progress, shall be completed. 

This road will open a direct communication 
with the anthracite coal region, whence large 
quantities of coal will descend and be deposited 
in Richmond. These, with other local advanta- 
ges, will serve to enlarge the place, and give it a 
commercial character. Its present population 
is about three hundred. A steam ferry-boat 
plies between Richmond and Cooper's point, 
on the opposite bank of the Delaware. 

Bridesburg. — A new and beautiful village 
about five miles from the city. Its situation at 
Point-no-point, on the bank of the Delaware, is 



ENVIRONS. 127 

well chosen, being elevated some twenty or 
thirty feet above the stream, whose banks here 
consist of a green svi'ard, which, with the white 
houses, gives to the place an air of neatness 
that is peculiarly attractive. Some of the build- 
ings are occupied, during the summer months, 
as country seats by citizens of Philadelphia, and 
others by persons who have retired from busi- 
ness. There are in and about the village some 
thirty or forty dwellings, a public house, 
stores, &,c. 

Frankford.—A town of Oxford township, 
Philadelphia county, 5 miles from the city, con- 
taining about 320 dwellings, and nearly two 
thousand inhabitants, with the usual comple- 
ment of stores, shops, taverns, factories, mills, 
&c. &c., forming altogether one of the most 
thriving and busy places in the state. The 
surrounding country is exceedingly fertile and 
well cultivated, and is much resorted to by the 
citizens of Philadelphia during the summer 
months. 

Hohnesbiirg.—A village on the Pennepack 
creek about ten miles from the city, containing 
twenty or thirty houses, an inn, an extensive 
cotton factory, grist mill, &c. 

Byberry. — About one mile beyond Holmes- 
burg, is a small assemblage of buildings in- 
cluding an Episcopal church. It is the centre 
of a populous township of the same name, and 
was once the site of an Indian village, many of 
whose warlike weapons and implements, such 
as arrow heads, knives, &c. having been found 
imbedded in the earth. On the face of a rock, 
near Byberry, is a distinct representation of a 



128 ENVIRONS. 

man's foot, which, according to the prevailing 
tradition, was impressed upon the material 
when in a fluid state ! 

It is, no doubt, the work of an Indian artist, 
who in thus amusing- himself, never dreamt of 
the toil and trouble he was preparing for the 
savant of the present day. 

Andalusia. — A small settlement with a post 
office, in Bucks county, eleven miles north- 
east of Philadelphia. The place has become 
familiar to the public, as the scene of a most 
shocking tragedy, in wliich the ill-fated Chap- 
man, a teacher, was murdered by the seducer 
of his wife, who, it is supposed, participated in 
the unnatural crime. 

DunkvUle. — A small hamlet of ten or twelve 
houses, about two miles beyond Andalusia, and 
one from Dunk's ferry, across the Delaware. 

BusUeton. — An active little town, as its name 
imports, situated on a branch of the Pennypack, 
about twelve miles from the city. It contains 
about three hundred inhabitants, a Baptist and 
one or two other places of worship, with stores, 
taverns, &c. 

Smithfield or Somerton. — A village fifteen 
miles from Philadelphia, with a population of 
three hundred or three hundred and fifty. 
Though its position is elevated and pleasant, it 
improves but slowly. With the exception of 
some mechanical operations, the village presents 
no indications of business or trade. 

Fox Chase. — A small settlement, consisting 
of twenty or twenty-five buildings, which has 
grown up in the vicinity of an inn, so called. 



ENVIRONS. 129 

It is four miles from Frankford, and two and a 
half Irotu Bustleton. 

Huntingdon. — Four miles boyond the Fox 
Chase, is a small hamlet containing some ten 
or fifteen dwellings. 

Sunville. — A thriving village, situated at the 
junction of the VVillovvgrove and Germantown 
roads. It derives its name, like many other 
American towns, from the sign of its principal 
tavern, which resembles a huge pancake, rather 
than a " Rising Sun," which terms are legibly- 
written underneath thisnon-descript exhibition. 
The village contains about seventy buildings, 
including stores and taverns, most of which 
have " Rising Suns," swinging between their 
sign-posts. 

Branclitown. — A small hamlet of ten or 
twelve houses, situated on the Old York Road, 
about one mile south of 

Milestown. — A pleasant little village, about 
seven miles from the city, with a population of 
about two hundred. 

Shoemakertown. — A village of Montgomery 
county, nine miles from Philadelphia, contain- 
ing several fine houses, stores, grist-mill, &c, 

JenJcintown. — This pleasant village may be 
regarded as a part of the preceding, being situ- 
ated only a mile to the north. It is, however, 
far superior in point of population and position, 
to Shoemakertown. It contains about three 
hundred inhabitants, chiefly Friends, who have 
a meeting house near the village. 



130 ENVIRONS. 

Ahinglon or Moor es town, in Montgomery 
county, consists of twelve or fifteen dwellings, 
two stores, a Presbyterian church, and a board- 
ing school for boys. 

Willowgrove. — Thirteen miles from the city, 
is a beautiful village of Moreland township, 
Montgomery county. It contains about twenty 
buildings, including three stores, and three 
taverns, situated in a rich glen at the termina- 
tion of the Willowgrove turnpike from Phila- 
delphia. 

Nicetown. — A neat village on the German- 
town road, about four miles from the city, con- 
taining forty or fifty buildings of various sorts. 

Germantown. — Six miles north-west from 
Philadelphia. This singular town consists of 
but one street, compactly built and extending 
for four or five miles, in a direction from south 
east to north-west. It contains not less than 
eight hundred buildings of various kinds, in- 
cluding churches, a bank, academies, factories, 
workshops, &.c. &;c. The town was founded in 
1684, and incorporated as a borough by Wm. 
Penn in 1689, but in 1704, it was deprived of 
its charter from inattention to its provisions. A 
new charter has been recently obtained from 
the legislature, and the town is now enjoying 
the benefits of a regular police. A railroad and 
numerous stages, afford a constant communica- 
tion between Philadelphia and Germantown, 
which may now be regarded as a mere suburb 
of the former. 

The name of Germantown is intimately con- 
nected with our revolutionary history, one of 
its principal events having occurred in the 
neighbourhood. 



ENVIRONS. 131 

On the morning of October 4th, 1777, a de- 
tachment from the American army, led by Gen- 
eral Sullivan, directed by the commander-in- 
chief, encountered and drove in a picket, which 
presently gave way, and his main body soon 
following, the engagement became general. 

It continued in a confused and desultory 
manner for some time, in the midst of a dense 
fog, which prevailed during the day, and served 
to embarrass the proceedings of both parties. 

Failing in his attempt to cut off supplies from 
Gen. Howe, who was then in possession of 
Philadelphia, Gen. Washington took advantage 
of the fog, and retired in good order, having 
lost in the engagement about nine hundred 
men, of whom two hundred were killed, and 
four hundred made prisoners. The British lost 
six hundred, killed and wounded. 

Mount Airy. — Though under another name, 
this village may be regarded as an extension of 
Germantown, which it resembles in every re- 
spect. It contains some thirty or forty dwell- 
ings. 

Chesnut Hill. — About nine miles from the 
city, like that of Mount Airy, is a farther pro- 
longation of Germantown. Its position is very 
elevated, and commands an extensive view of 
the surrounding country. Population about 
five hundred. 

Flourtown. — A village two miles north of 
Chesnut Hill, containing about twenty dwell- 
ings and Jive taverns, one for every five houses 
in the place ! 

White Marsh. — Fourteen miles from Phila- 



132 ENVIRONS. 

delphia, a thriving little village, with several 
mills, an Episcopal church, &c. The name of 
White Marsh, occurs frequently in the annals 
of the revolution. 

Francisville. — One of the northern suburbs 
of Philadelphia, about two miles from the state 
house. It is situated on the Ridge Road, near 
the Girard College, is rapidly improving, and 
will ere long, unite with the buildings of Spring 
Garden, and thus form a continuous street to 
Girard College. There are at present in Fran- 
cisville, about one hundred and fifty buildings, 
some manufactories, work shops, &lc. and of 
taverns " not a few." 

Girard College. — See page 22. 
Laurel Hill Cemetery, — See page 100. 

Falls. — An active little manufacturing vil- 
lage, about five miles from the city, also on 
the Ridge Road. Previously to the erection 
of Fairmount dam, the Schuylkill was here 
broken by a ledge of rocks, which in certain 
stages of the water, occasioned a small fall in 
the river ; this fall has nearly disappeared since 
the completion of the dam. Hence the anoma- 
lous designation of the village. 

Wissahickon Creek. — A stream remarkable 
for its romantic and beautiful scenery. It 
rises near Montgomery square, in Montgomery 
county, and flowing into the northern angle of 
Philadelphia county, falls into the Schuylkill 
about 6 miles above the city. It consists of little 
else than a regular succession of falls and cas- 
cades, which in the aggregate cannot be less 
than seven hundred feet in its short course of 20 
miles. Its banks, for the most part, are elevated 



ENVIRONS. 133 

and precipitous, covered with a dense forest, 
and diversified by moss-covered rocks of every 
size and shape. The banks of the Wissahickon, 
which afford one of the most delightful rides 
in the vicinity of Philadelphia, present a very 
animated appearance on the first of May and 
other holidays, when the youth of the city re- 
pair to their shady groves and rocky glens to 
enjoy themselves. 

Manyunk. — A large manufacturing village of 
Roxboro township, Philadelphia co., 8 miles from 
the city. It owes its existence to the water power 
created by the improvement of the Schuylkill, 
which serves the double purpose of rendering the 
stream navigable, and of supplying hydraulic 
power to the numerous factories of the village. 
In 1819, the present site of Manyunk, presented 
little else than a dense forest. It now contains 
about five hundred dwellings, twenty-five or 
thirty mills, for the construction of which, ex- 
tensive excavations into the adjoining hills have 
been made, and in some instances, dwellings 
have been erected upon the hill tops, one hun- 
dred and fifty or two hundred feet from the bed 
of the river. 

There are two bridges across the Schuylkill, 
one at Flat Rock, and another a short distance 
lower down. The village is approached from 
the Ridge Road, by a McAdamised road, about 
a mile in length. The Schuylkill canal and 
Norristown railroad, pass through the town, 
which, with the busy population, and the clatter 
of the machinery, present, altogether, a very 
animating and interesting spectacle. 

Barren Hill. — A village of Montgomery 
county, is situated about a mile beyond the 



134 ENVIRONS. 

Philadelphia line, on the Ridge Road. It 
surrounds a sandstone mound, on the top 
of which is perched a Lutheran church. The 
village consists of thirty or forty dwelling- 
houses, four taverns, and two or three stores. 



TOWNS, &C., SITUATED WEST OV THE 
CITY. 

Fairmount Water Works. — See page 9. 

Schuylkill Viaduct. — Three miles north- 
west from the city. The Columbia railroad 
crosses the Schuylkill by a viaduct, nine hun- 
dred and eighty-four feet in length. It leads 
to the foot of an inclined plane, two thousand 
eight hundred and five feet long, with an ascent 
of one hundred and eighty-seven feet. The 
plane is ascended by means of a stationary en- 
gine at the top, from which an endless rope 
passes up and down, and conveys the cars from 
one end of the plane to the other. In passing 
from the city to the plane, many interesting 
objects present themselves, and serve to render 
the excursion highly delightful. 

Buck Tavern. — A small settlement, 11 miles 
from Philadelphia, in Delaware county, which 
takes its name from the sign of its principal, inn. 

West Philadelphia.— The settlement gene- 
rally known by this name, is situated at the 
western termination of the Market street bridge, 
although the corporate limits include the vil- 
lages of Hamilton, Greenville, Powellton and 
a part of Mantua. Considered separately. West 
Philadelphia contains about one hundred and 
fifty buildings, including several extensive fur- 



ENVIRONS. 135 

naces and other manufacturing establishments. 
It is rapidly improving, and will ultimately 
form an important suburb of the city. 

Mantua, — A beautiful little village, situated 
on the high ground immediately opposite Fair- 
mount. Its high and airy position renders it a 
desirable summer retreat, several of the houses 
being occupied as country seats, while many 
consist of the residences of merchants and 
others, who transact their daily business in the 
city. A constant communication between the 
two places is afforded by numerous omnibuses 
and railroad cars. 

There are in Mantua not less than seventy 
buildings, nearly all of which are neat, and 
some very handsome structures. 

Monroe. — A small hamlet, consisting of six 
or eight houses, on the Lancaster turnpike, 
about three miles west of the Permanent 
bridge. 

Haddington. — A village of Bleckley town- 
ship, about four miles from Philadelphia, con- 
taining, in addition to several factories, mills, 
and a spacious academy, about forty dwellings. 

Its inhabitants are chiefly engaged in manu- 
facturing. 

Coopertown. — A small place, about four 
miles west of Haddington, containing ten or 
twelve farm and other houses. 

Hamilton. — A handsome village of West 
Philadelphia, situated about one mile v;est of 
the Market street bridge, on the road to West 
Chester. Its plan is regular, and the streets, 



136 ENVIRONS. 

most of which are prolong-ations of those of the 
city, are wide and well regulated. The build- 
ing-s, about eighty in number, generally stand 
apart from each other, leaving garden spaces 
between them. Taken altogether, Hamilton 
is probably the prettiest village in the neigh- 
bourhood of Philadelphia. The dwellings are 
occupied principally by families who reside in 
the city during the winter season, or merchants 
and others, who reside here, and transact busi- 
ness in the city. 

Powellton. — A new village, situated between 
West Philadelphia and Mantua. There are as 
yet but few buildings here ; but the place will 
no doubt grow with the growth of the district, 
and eventually become a part of the city. 

Blue Bell. — A noted tavern, around which 
several houses have been erected, and now 
form quite a village. It is about five miles 
from the city, and contains about thirty dwell- 
ing houses and work-shops, of various descrip- 
tions. 

Darby.—One mile beyond the preceding, is 
a large, well built village, situated in the valley 
of Darby creek. It contains about three hun- 
dred inhabitants, many of whom are Friends. 
The entire village and neighbourhood present 
a neat and business-like appearance, and are 
much resorted to by the citizens during the 
summer months. 

Chester. — The seat of justice of Delaware 
county, fifteen miles from Philadelphia, situated 
on the west bank of the Delaware, is the oldest 



ENVIRONS. 137 

town in Pennsylvania. Long prior to the 
grant to Wm. Penn, in 1681, there were several 
dwellings, and a Friends' meeting-house, at 
Upland^ the name by which it was then called. 
In 1701, that of Chester was substituted by the 
proprietary. 

It now contains about one hundred and forty 
houses, mostly of stone or brick, including a 
Court-house, a prison, a bank, and other public 
edifices. Some of the primitive buildings are 
yet standing, which serve to indicate the early 
settlement of the place. 

Greenwich Point. — On the Delaware, three 
miles below the city, is a favorite place of resort, 
the ride to it being pleasant, and the road gene- 
rally good. There is a steam ferry-boat to 
Gloucester, and thence a good road to Camden. 



TOWNS, &C., SITUATED SOUTH OP THE 
CITY, IN NEW JERSEY. 

KaigTinton.—Pi. small village of Newton 
township, Gloucester county, and a landing for 
the steamboat from South street, Philadelphia. 
It has lately received important accessions in 
the erection of several fine houses, mostly built 
on the high ground in the rear of the old set- 
tlement. It now contains about forty dwell- 
ings. 

Gloucester. — A small village of about twenty- 
five houses, four miles from Camden, on the 
Delaware, opposite Greenwich Point. 



138 ENVIRONS. 

Johsville. — Near the bank of the Delaware, 
in Gloucester county, ten miles from Camden, 
contains eight or ten dwellings. 

Paulshoro. — On Mantua creek, three miles 
beyond Jobsville, containing about fifteen 
houses, a Methodist church, &,c. 

BiUingsport. — On the bank of the Delaware, 
one mile north-west of Paulshoro, with some 
sixty or seventy inhabitants, chiefly employed 
in the fisheries. 

Sandtown, — A small settlement on Mantua 
creek, twelve miles south-west of Camden, con- 
taining about twenty buildings, an Episcopal 
church, store, and tavern. 

Clarksboro. — A town of Gloucester county, 
one mile south-west of Sandtown, contains 
forty dwelling houses, &c., occupied mostly by 
Friends. 

Carpenter^s Landing. — This is a busy and 
thriving town, situated on Mantua creek, about 
twelve miles south of Camden, and is the centre 
of an extensive lumber trade. A large portion 
of the fire-wood consumed in the city is carried 
to this place, and thence through Mantua creek 
and the Delaware, to Philadelphia. Its popu- 
lation is about two hundred and fifty. The 
Methodists have a neat chapel here. 

Barnsboro. — Nearly south of, and distant 
two miles from the preceding, contains about 
one hundred and twenty inhabitants. 

Mount Ephraim. — Five miles south south-east 



ENVIRONS. 139 

from Camden, with about 25 buildings, and 
several mills. The hill in its vicinity affords 
an extensive view of the neighbouring villages, 
the Delaware, &lc. 

Chew's Landing. — This is also a place of 
deposit for the lumber and cord-wood from the 
surrounding forests. It is situated on the east 
branch of Big Timber creek, on the road 
leading from Camden to Blackwoodtown, three 
and a half miles from the former, and two and 
a half from the latter. It consists of fifty 
dwellings, three stores, four taverns, two grist- 
mills, one Episcopal, and one Methodist church. 

Blackwoodtown. — A town of some sixty or 
seventy buildings, two and a half miles south 
of Chew's Landing. Among the buildings, 
are, two or three taverns, a woollen manufac- 
tory, a Methodist, and a Presbyterian church. 

Clementon. — On the east branch of the Big 
Timber creek, fourteen miles south-east of 
Camden. The settlement, which extends over 
a considerable area, contains about twenty 
dwellings, some saw and grist-mills, and a glass 
works. 



TOWNS, &;C., SITUATED EAST OF THE 
CITY, IN NEW JERSEY. 

Camden. — A city and port of entry of Glou- 
cester county, N. J., situated on the east bank 
of the Delaware, opposite to Philadelphia. 



140 ENVIRONS. 

It was originally settled by Messrs. Cooper, 
Morris, and Runyan,and incorporated in 1828, 
with very extensive limits. 

Including Cooper's Point, above, and Kaighn- 
ton, below, Camden contains a population of 
about two thousand six hundred. There are 
in Camden, in addition to upwards of four hun^ 
dred neat dwelhngs, seventy or eighty build- 
ings occupied in the manufacture of leather, 
saddlery, carriages, in vast numbers, carriage 
furniture, clocks, trunks, cabinet-ware, plated- 
ware, tin- ware, &c, — one bank, two printing, 
offices, each of which issues a weekly news- 
paper — several public gardens, &c. Eight or 
ten steam ferry-boats ply constantly between 
Philadelphia and Camden, which latter, though 
situated in another state, may be regarded as a 
a suburb of the former. The railroad to Bor- 
dentown, towards the north, and that to Wood-, 
bury, in the south, commence here. 

Rowandtown. — Avery small village, of some 
thirty or forty inhabitants, four miles south-east 
from Camden, on the road to Haddonfield. 

H(jLddonfield, — Six miles south-east from 
Camden, is, in comparison with its neighbour- 
ing towns, quite an important and agreeable 
place. It contains about one hundred and 
thirty buildings, chiefly owned and occupied 
by Friends, who have a large meeting-house in 
the town. Haddonfield is situated in the midst 
of a fertile and highly productive country — a sort 
of oasis among the surrounding sands. The 
internal arrangement of Haddonfield partakes 
in some degree, of those of a well ordered 
city. 



ENVIRONS. 141 

There are two engine companies, a public 
library, and other like institutions, which speak 
well for the intelligence and forethought of the 
people. Some of the houses of this ancient 
town were erected more than one hundred and 
fifty years since, many of which still remain. 

Cooperstown. — A small village, one mile and 
a half north of Haddonfield, on the north bank 
of Cooper's creek. 

It contains a Friends' meeting-house, and 
twelve or fifteen other buildings. 

Eilishurg.— One mile east of Cooperstown — 
has about a dozen dwelling-houses, work- 
shops, &,c. 

Cropwell.~~An inconsiderable village, five 
miles east of EUisburg, containing a Friends' 
meeting house, and about twenty dwellings. 

Swain's. — A noted tavern in the eastern part 
of Cropwell. 

WaterfordviUe.—A small village of Water- 
ford township, Gloucester county, containing 
ten or twelve dwelling houses, a tavern, store, 
&c., &c. 

Colestown. — A village on the road from 
Camden to Medford, nine miles from the former, 
containing about twenty dwellings, an Episco- 
pal church, mills, &c. 

Bonne's.— A small settlement of twelve or 
fifteen houses, formed around the Green Tree 
tavern — distant four miles south-east of Coles- 
town. 



142 ENVIRONS. 

Evesham. — A village of the township of the 
same name, situated two and a half miles north- 
east from Bodine's. It contains a Friends' 
meetii)g.house, about twenty or twenty-five 
dwellings, a store, &c. 

Moorestown.— Ten miles from Camden, in 
Chester township, Burlington county, is a 
remarkably neat village, containing about sixty 
or seventy dwellings, a Friends' meeting-house, 
a Methodist chapel, a boarding-school, &c. 

Westfield. — On the road from Cam^len to Bur- 
lington — 8 miles from the latter — contains 10 
or 12 buildings, and a Friends' meeting-house. 

Drawbridge. — A little village, three and a 
half miles north-east from Westfield ; which 
derives its name from a bridge over the Ran- 
cocus oreek. 

[A-ddendum.] 
Fort Mifflin. — One of the principal defences 
of the Delaware, erected during the revolution- 
ary war. It is situated near the mouth of the 
Schuylkill, on what was called Fort Island, and 
nearly opposite to Red Bank, the site of old 
Fort Mercer. Between these posts, in the 
channel of the Delaware, two ranges of che- 
vaux-de-frize were sunk, in 1777. These soon 
engaged the attention of the British General 
Howe, who, having overcome the obstructions 
in the river, attacked the forts at Red Bank and 
Fort Island, which, after a most spirited and 
protracted resistance, were abandoned by the 
garrison, on the approach of Cornwallis, in 
November, 1777. Fort Mifflin is now in a 
dilapidated condition — and of that of Red Bank, 
scarcely a vestige remains. 



INDEX. 



A. 

Abington, 1.30 

Abolition Society, 85 

Academy of Natural Sciences, 26 

Academy of the Fine Arts, 62 

African Methodist Church, 55 

Adelphi School, 86 

Aims-house, 68 

Albion House, 111 

American Insurance Co.^ 46 

American Insurance Co., 47 

American Philosophical Society, 25 

American Sunday School Union, 82 

Aimwell School Society, 85 

American Beneficial Society, 86 

American Friendly Institution, 86 

Apprentices' Library, 32 

Arch Street House, 111 

Association of the Friends of Ireland, 87 

Arcade, 35 

Artists' Fund Hall, 63 

Artists and Amateurs Association, 64 

Associate Presbyterian Church, 54 

Atheneum, 27 

Asylum for Lost Children, 75 

Athenian Institute, 29 

Athenian Buildings, 106i 

Assembly Buildings, 106 



144 INDEX. 

Atlantic Insurance Company, 46 

Andalusia, 128 

Baltimore Railroad, 113 

Baltimore Steamboats, 116 

Baptist Tract Society, 83 

Bank of North; America, 37 

Bank of Pennsylvania, 38 

Bank, Philadelphia, 38 

Bank, Farmers & Mechanics, 39 

Bank of the Northern Liberties, 39 

Bank, Mechanics, 39 

Bank, Commercial, 40 

Bank, Schuylkill, 40 

Bank, Southwark, 41 

Bank, Kensington, 41 

Bank United States, 41 

Bank, Girard, 44 

Bank of Penn Township, 44 

Bank, Manufacturers\ 45 

Bank, Moyamensing, 45 

Bank, Western, 45 

Barnsboro, 138 

Barren Hill, 133 

Bath House, Swaim's, 109 

Bath House, Fromberger's Court, 109 

Bath House, Harmer's 109 

Bar tram's Garden, 67 

Beck's Shot Tower, 107 

Bethel Church, 57 

Billingsport, 138 

Black Bear Tavern, HI 

Black woodtown, 139 

Bleakly Fund, 85 

Blind, Institution for the, 76 



INDEX. 145 



Blue Bell, 


136 


Board of Education, 


83 


Board of Missions, 


83 


Bodine's, 


141 


Branchtown, 


129 


Bricklayers' Hall, 


107 


Bricklayers' Society, 


86 


Broad Street House, 


111 


Buist's Garden, 


67 


Bordentown Steamboats, 


115 


Bull's Head Tavern, 


111 


Burlington Steamboats, 


115 


Bridesburg-, 


126 


Buck Tavern, 


134 


Bustleton, 


128 


Byberry, 

C. 
Camden, 


127 


139 


Camden and Amboy Railroad, 


112 


Caledonian Society, 


87 


Cape May Steamboats, 


117 


Carpenters' Hall, 


107 


Carpenter's Landing, 


138 


Carter and Petty Fund, 


86 


Central High School, 


98 


Central Baptist Church, 


54 


Central Presbyterian Church, 


54 


Central Presbyterian Church, 


54 


Chew's Landing, 


139 


Chinese Collection, 


61 


Charity School Society, 


84 


Chesnut Hill, 


131 


Chester, 


136 


Christ Church, 


48 


Christ Church Hospital, 


82 


Church of the Ascension* 


50 


Clarksori Hall, 


83 



146 INDEX. 

Clarksboro, 138 

Clementon, 139 

Church of the Evangelists, 50 

City Hospital, 80 

City Hotel, 111 

City Tobacco Warehouse, 109 

College of Physicians, 31 

Colestown, 141 

Columbian Society, 86 

Commercial Hotel, 111 

Congress Hall, 111 

Cooperstown, 141 

Coopertown, 135 

County Insurance Company, 47 

County Prison, 94 

Croghan Beneficial Society, 87 

Cropvvell, 141 

Custom House, 33 

D. 

Darby, 136 

Deaf and Dumb Institution, 75 

Debtors' Prison, 94 

Delaware County Insurance Company, 47 

Delaware Insurance Company, 46 

Diorama, 65 

Drawbridge, 142 

Dunkville, 128 

E. 

Eastburn Church, 57 

East Kensington Methodist Church, 55 

Ebenezer Church, 55 

Education, Board of, 83 

Education Society, 84 

Eighth Presbyterian Church, 53 

Eleventh Baptist Church, 55 

Eleventh Presbyterian Church, 53 

Ellisburg, 141 



INDEX. 147 

Eighth Street Methodist Church, 55 

Environs of Philadelphia, 126 

Epiphany Church, 50 

Episcopal Society, 84 

Episcopal Tract Society, 84 

Evangelical Church, 56 

Evangelical Society, 84 

Evesham, 142 

F. 

Fairmount Bridge, 9 

Fairmount Methodist Church, 55 

Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 54 

Fairmount Water Works, 9 

Falls, . 132 

Female Missionary Society, .84 

Female Missionary Society, 84 

Female Society, 85 

Fifth Street Methodist Church, 55 

Fifth Baptist Church, 54 

First Baptist Church, 54 

First Congregational Church, 56 

Fifth Presbyterian Church, 53 

First Presbyterian Church, 54 

First Presbyterian Church, 54 

First Presbyterian Church, 53 

First Presbyterian Church, 54 

First Dutch Reformed Church, 54 

First German Reformed Church, 56 

First Universalist Church, 57 

Fire Association, 47 

Fort Mifflin, 142 

Fourth Dutch Reformed Church, 54 

Fourth Presbyterian Church, 53 

Flourtown, 131 

Foreign Missionary Society, 83 

Foster Home, 83 

Fox Chase, 128 

Francisville, 132 



149 INDEX. 



Franklin Free School, 


83 


Franklin Fund, 


85 


Franklin Institute, 


26 


Franklin Insurance Company, 


47 


Franklin Square, 


19 


Franklin Street Presbyterian Church, 


54 


Frankford, 


127 


Friendly Society, 


87 


Friends' Alms House, 


69 


Friends' Library, 


32 


Friends' Meeting Houses, 


55,56 


Friends' Schools, 


86 


Friendly Society, 


86 


Fuel Saving Society, 
Gas Works, City, 


83 


IIQ 


Gas Works, Northern Liberties, 


110 


German Am. Society, 


87 


German Society Hall, 


82 


Germantown, 


130 


Germantown Railroad, 


115 


Girard College, 


22 


Girard Insurance Company, 


41 


Gloucester, 


137 


Golden Swan, 


ill 


Grace Church, 


50 


Gray's Ferry Bridge, 


9 


Gray's Ferry Railroad, 


114 


Greenwich JPoint, 

H. 
Haddington, 


137 


135 


Haddonfield, 


140 


Hamilton, 


135 


Harmony Methodist Church, 


55 


Hibbert's Garden, 


68 


Hibernian Society, 


85 


Hieh School, 


98 



INDEX. 149 

Historical Society, ' 29 

Holmesburg, 127 

Home Missionary Society, 83 

House Carpenters' Prov. Society, 86 

House of Correction, 95 

House of Industry, 83 

House of Refuge, 95 

Humane Society 85 

Huntingdon, 129 

I. 

Independence Hall, 20 

Independence Square, 17 

Independent Church, 56 

Independent Benevolent Society, 87 

Indian Queen, 111 

Infant School, . 8 

Insurance Company of Penn., 46 

J. 

Jefferson Medical College, 22 

Jenkintown, 129 

Jews' Synagogues, 56 

Jobstown, 138 

K. 

Kaighnton, 137 

Keble Fund, 86 

Kensington Methodist Church, 55 

Kensington Savings Institution, 46 

L. 

Landreth's Garden, 67 

Laurel Hill Cemetery, 100 

Logan Square, 19 

Lunatic Asylum, (Penn. Hospital,) 79 

Lunatic Asylum, 81 

M. 

Madison House, 111 

N* 



150 INDEX. 



Magdalen Asylum, 


83 


Mansion House, 


111 


Mantua, 


135 


Manufacturers & Mechanics' Savings Id, 


46 


Manayunk, 


133 


Mariners' Churches, 


57 


Mariners' Society, 


86 


Marshall House, 


111 


Markets, 


110 


Masonic Hall, 


104 


Masonic Hull, 


105 


Mechanics & Tradesmen's Savings Inst. 


46 


McArann's Garden, 


67 


Medical Institute, 


30 


Mechanics' Beneficial Society, 


86 


Medical Society, 


30 


Mercantile Library, 


28 


Merchants' Exchange, 


34 


Merchants' Hotel, 


111 


Milestovvn, 


129 


Mint, 


36 


Missionary Society, St. Jamos, 


83 


Missionary Society, 


84 


Moorestown, 


142 


Monroe, 


135 


Morris House, 


111 


Moravian Church, 


56 


Mosheim Society, 


84 


Moyamensing Baptist Church, 


55 


Monument Cemetery, 


102 


Mount Airy, 


131 


Mount Ephraim, 


138 


Museum, 


59 


Musical Fund Hall, 


65 


Mutual Assurance Company, 

N. 
Naval Asylum, 


47 


74 


Navy Yard, 


104 



INDEX. 151 

Nazareth Methodist Church, 55 

Newcastle Steamboats, 116 

New Market Baptist Church, 54 

New York Railroad, 112 

Nicetown, 130 

Ninth Presbyterian Church, 53 

North American Ins. Company, 46 

Northern Dispensary, 81 

Northern Liberties Library, 33 

Northern Liberties Ben. Society, 86 
Northern Lib., Ken., &, Sp. G. Sav. Inst., 46 

Norristown Railroad, 115 

O. 

Odd Fellows' Hall, 105 

Olive Branch Society, 87 

Orphans' Asylum, 71 

Orphans' Asylum, 72 

Orphans' Asylum, 73 

Orphans' Asylum, 73 

P. 

Panorama, 65 

Paulsboro, 138 

Parker's Garden, 67 

Penitentiary, 87 

Peace Society, 84 

Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, 83 

Pennsylvania Benefit Society, 87 

Pennsylvania Hospital, 79 

Pennsylvania College, 31 

Pennsylvania Insurance Company, 46 

Pennsylvania Insurance Company, 47 

Pennsylvania Missionary Society, 83 

Pennsylvania Colonization Society, 83 

Penn Square, 20 

Permanent Bridge, 8 

Philadelphia Benevolent Society, 86 

Philadelphia Bible Society, 83 



152 INDEX. 

Philadelphia Colonization Society, 84 

Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, 29 

Philadelphia Library, 31 

Philadelphia Dispensary, 81 

Philadelphia, Situation, &c., of, 5 

Philadelphia, History of, 7 

Philadelphia City Mission, 83 

Philadelphia Hotel, 111 

Philadelphia Insurance Company, 46 

Philadelphia Insurance Company, 47 

Philadelphia Savings Institution, 46 

Philanthropic Society, 86 
Philadelphia Contributionship Insur. Co., 47 

Philadelphia Institute, 84 

Philadelphia Tract Society, 83 

Phoenix Insurance Company, 46 

Pilots' Society, 86 

Powellton, 136 

Prayer Book Society, 84 

Preston Retreat, 75 

Provident Society, 85 

Public School Society, 84 

Public Schools, 99 

R. 

Reading Raibroad, 114 

Red Lion Hotel, 111 

Reformed Presbyterian Church, 54 

Reformed Presbyterian Church, 54 

Religious Tract Society, 84 

Rittenhouse Square, 20 

Richmond, 126 

Rising Star Beneficial Society, 87 

Robinson Crusoe, 111 

Ronaldson's Cemetery, 103 

Routes from Philadelphia, 119 

Route to Pittsburg, 119 

Route to Erie, 121 



IIVDEX. 153 

Route to Pottsville, 122 

Route to Bethlehem, 122 

Route to Easton, 122 

Route to New- York, 123 
Route to Baltimore, 123, 124 

Route to Cape May, 124 

Route to Tuckerton, 125 

Route to Long Branch, 125 

Rowandtown, 140 

S. 

Salem Church, 55 

Savings Fund Society, 45 

Salem Steamboats, 116 

Sandtovvn, 138 

Schuylkill Viaduct, 134 

Scotts' Thistle Society, 87 

Scott Fund, 85 

Second Baptist Church, 54 

Second Dutch Ref. Church, 54 

Second Dutch Ref. Church, 54 

Second Presbyterian Church, 54 

Second Presbyterian Church, 53 

Second Presbyterian Church, 54 

Second Universalist Church, 57 

Seventh Presbyterian Church, 53 

Seventh Baptist Church, 55 

Seaman's Friend Society, 83 

Seaman's Friend Society, 83 

Second Street House, 111 

Shoemakertown, 129 

Shelter for Coloured Children, 73 

Ship Masters' Society, 86 

Sixth Presbyterian Church, 53 

Smyrna Steamboats, 117 

Smithfield, 128 

Southwark Insurance Company, 47 

South wark Library, 33 



154 INDEX. 

Southern Loan Company, 46 

Southern Dispensary, 81 

Society for Amel'g the Con. of the Jews, 84 

Societe Frangaise de Bienfaisance, 87 

Society for the Relief of the Poor, 85 

Society for Allev. the Mis. of P. Prisons, 85 

Soup Societies, 85 

Spring Garden Ins. Company, 47 

Spring Garden Library, 33 

Spruce street Baptist Church, 54 

Spark's Shot Tower, 108 

St. Andrew's Cliurch, 49 

St. Andrew's Society, 85 

St. Augustine's Church, 52 

St. George's Church, 55 

St. James's Church, 49 

St. Paul's, Methodist Church, 55 

St. Peter's Church, 49 

St. Paul's Church, 50 

St. Stephen's Church, 49 

St. John's Church, 50 

St. John's Church, 51 

St. John's Church, 55 

St. Thomas's Church, 50 

St. Joseph's Church, 52 

St. Mary's Church, 52 

St. Matthew's Church, 56 

St. Michael's Church, 56 

St. Mary's Free School, 84 

St. George's Society, 85 

St. Tammany Society, 86 

St. Patrick's Ben. Society, 87 

State House, 20 

State Arsenal, 108 

Stone Cutters' Society, 86 

Sunville, 129 

Sully &, Earle's Gallery, 64 

Swedenborgian Church, 56 



INDEX. 155 

Swedes Church, 50 

Swain's, 141 

T. 

Taylors' Society, 86 

Temperance Society, 84 

Tenth Baptist Church, 55 

Tenth Presbyterian Church, 53 

Theatre, Arch Street, 58 

Theatre, Chesnut Street, 57 

Theatre, Walnut Street, 58 

Theatre, Summer, 59 

Theatre, Washington, 59 

Third Baptist Church, 54 

Third Presbyterian Church, 53 

Third Street Hall, 111 

Thirteenth Presbyterian Church, 54 

Tremont House, 111 

Trenton Railroad, 112 

Trenton Steamboats, 115 

Trinity Church, 50 

Trinity Church, 52 

Twelfth Presbyterian Churchy 53 

Typographical Society, 86 

U. 

Union Baptist Church, 55 

Union Buildings, 106 

Union Benevolent Association, 83 

Union Beneficial Society, 86 

Union Church, 50 

Union Hotel, 112 

Union Methodist Church, 55 

Union Instruction Society, 84 

Union Insurance Company, 46 

Union Society,! 87 

Unitarian Church, 52 

United States Insurance Company, 46 

United German Society, 87 



loo INDEX. 




University, 


21 


United States Arsenal, 


108 


United States Beneficial Association, 


87 


United States Hotel, 


112 


W. 




Warren Beneficial Society, 


87 


Washington House, 


112 


Washington Insurance Company, 


47 


Washington Square, 


18 


Waterfordville, 


141 


Welch Society, 


65 


Wesley Chapel, 


55 


Wesleyan Methodist Church, 


55 


Western Methodist Church, 


55 


West Philadelphia, 


134 


Westfield, 


142 


West's Picture, 


65 


Western Presbyterian Church* 


54 


Western Hotel, 


112 


Western Exchange, 


112 


West Chester Railroad, 


114 


White Marsh, 


131 


White S^van Hotel, 


112 


Widows' Asylum, 


70 


Willovvgrove, 


130 


Wills's Hospital, 


78 


Wilmington Railroad, 


11^ 


Wilmington Steamboats, 


116 


Wissahickon Creek, 

Y. 
Young Men's Missionary Society, 


132 


84 


Young Men's Temperance Society, 

Z. 
Zion Churcli, 


84 


56 



-0 \9'» 



L 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




014 311 847 2 



